DAY 20 - ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ÉCLUSES TO OUSSON-SUR-LOIRE

Today we followed the canals down to the Loire.

We began by wandering around the disused stepped locks at Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, then joined the current Canal de Briare.

Overlooking the Sept Écluses, a disused series of 7 stepped locks at Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses 

We followed the canal through a series of numbered locks to the village of Ouzouer-sur-Trézée. There were two boulangeries in the town. We bought our pastries and baguette in the top one, and found a pleasant park by the canal where we sat down to eat them.

Today's tarts - for those who want to see more pâtisserie 

In addition to the canal, bridge and houseboats, our attention was attracted by one of the local dog-training signs.

A descriptive sign in a park, Ouzouer-sur-Trézée

Refreshed from our morning tea, we continued along the canals towards Briare. At one stage the Canal de Briare merged with the Canal Latéral à là Loire. We followed this canal down to Briare, where it crosses over the Loire River by way of a bridge (the famous Pont Canal de Briare). There were lots of tourists walking across the bridge. We joined them.

On the Pont Canal de Briare, crossing over the Loire

From Briare we joined a long-distance walking path, the GR3, south along by the Loire for about 7 kilometres to Ousson-sur-Loire, our stop for the night. This stretch of the GR3 was very pleasant: a long, straight, well-shaded promenade which was being used by cyclists and walkers of all ages. 

A walker on the GR3 south of Briare

Day:  20
Distance:  29.36km
Walking time:  6hrs 10mins
Elevation gain:  340 metres
Cumulative distance:  499.08 km