Burgundy may have a reputation as one of the world’s best wine regions, but the region also features more than 800 miles of canals and rivers. Take to the waterways through a variety of activities to fully enjoy the beauty of Burgundy.

Step aboard a house boat to spend time with loved ones and take in the views of the many canals and rivers. No license is required to pilot the boat, with a quick training lesson all you need to navigate the waters. Sailing enthusiasts can opt for more of a thrilling ride down the Saône River or a calm sail down one of the many rivers in the south of the region.

With many canals comes many locks, and travelers can visit locks like Canal du Nivernais, Canal du Centre, Canal Latéral à la Loire and Canal de Bourgogne. Experience the countless guinguettes, or bars, found along the riverside to meet the locals. Visitors can also head to one of the barge-theaters, like the quayside theater in Auxerre. In the summer, the town of Mâcon invites guests to enjoy aperitifs on pedalos on the Saône River.

Many of the canals feature high canal bridges with impressive designs. Taking a boat beneath these elegant structures is a must when on the waterways of Burgundy. Float under the canal bridge at Digoin, where Canal Latéral à la Loire crosses the Loire River or admire the 19^th -century, five-arch stone aqueduct at Saint-Florentin near the Armance on the Canal de Bourgogne.

Take on the Tunnel de Saint-Albin, a 19^th-century tunnel spanning more than 650 meters in a boat. Cutting across the Saône meander, the tunnel once served as a passageway for barges loaded with goods.

No trip to Burgundy is complete without some wine, and traveling by the waterways makes it easier than ever to visit the many wineries. The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Nivernais offer easy access to some of the region’s best wineries. If in Mâcon on a stopover, take a wine-tasting course at Fabrice Sommier’s wine school.