Davisons-afloat

Useful addresses and websites

Bisham Abbey Sailing: Marlow, Bucks. Offer helmsman's certificate and a range of other courses, e.g. first aid. Tel: 01628 474960. www.bishamabbeysailing.co.uk
Carte Guides Navicarte/Fluviacarte: 125 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, BP40, F-92132 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex, France.(They can also be bought from chandleries, bookshops and Imray, Laurie Norie and Wilson.)
Carte Guides Vagnon, Les Éditions du Plaisancier: 43 porte du Grand Lyon, Neyron, 01707, Cedex, France
Compagnie National du Rhône: gives information on water flow which is important particularly if you are contemplating coming the Rhône. The flow can be roughly converted into current in k/hr by multiplying by 0.0072 for upstream reaches near Lyon, e.g. a flow rate of 2000 cubic metres per second at Viviers would give a current of about 7.2 km. per hr. or 4 knots. These figures are also available from the lock keepers. www.cnr.tm.fr
Cruising Association: CA House, 1 Northey Street, London E14 8BT, Tel: 020 7537 2828. www.cruising.org.uk

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA): www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine for information about Pet Passports.
EuroCanals: Online maps which index the inland waterways of 19 countries in Europe, with details of the limiting dimensions for vessels planning to travel the canals in France. Other maps index the locations of major boat and barge brokers in France and in the Netherlands. www.eurocanals.com
1stseaschool: Port Solent, Portsmouth. Helmsman's certificate and other courses. Tel: 07767 398892. 1stseaschool.co.uk, e-mail: cliff@1stseaschool.co.uk
Fluviocarte: Library Verte Fluviale, Éditions de l’Écluse, 36 Boulevard de la Bastille, 75012 Paris, Tel 04 67 50 42 67.
France Afloat: British family run company specialising in boating on French waterways, - maps, cruising guide, guardinage etc.; UK: PO Box 249, Redhill, RH1 2FD. Tel/Fax: 08700 110 538; France: 1 Quai du Port, 89270 Vermenton. Tel/Fax 03 86 81 67 87. www.franceafloat.com
French Waterways website: Useful website with information about the French canals, maps, guides, holiday companies etc. All with beautiful photographs. www.french-waterways.com
French Government Tourist Office: 178 Picadilly, London W1V 0AL. Tel: 0891 244 123

Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson: Wych House, St. Ives, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE17 4BT. 01480 462114 Fax:01480 496109 – catalogue of maps and guide books
Marine Diesel: Supplies spare parts and chandlery and will post to any part of France (post restante if necessary). English speaking
Chitry-les-Mines, BP 40 58800, Corbigny, France. Tel: 03 86 20 14 80. Fax: 03 86 20 14 84.

Prescription Pricing Authority: from where you can obtain your European Health Insurance Card. www.ppa.org.uk
Registry of Shipping and Seamen: PO Box 165, Cardiff, CF14 5FU. Tel: 02920 448800. Fax: 029 20448820
RJ Boat Training School: The course is held at Limehouse and can be in your own boat or school boat. Tel: 01273 584268. Mobile: 0777 1691040. E-mail: rdtjudd@gmail.com.
RYA (The Royal Yachting Association): who can provide study material and a list of centres where you can take the CEVNI test, as well as a host of other information.
RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, SO31 4YA. Tel: 0845 345 0400. Email: info@rya.org.uk. www.rya.org.uk

UK Consulate: 9 avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris.
UK Embassy: 35 rue du Faubourg, St-Honoré, 75383 Paris. (tel: (1) 42 66 38 10
VNF (Voies Navigables de France): 175 rue Ludovic Boutleux, NP 820, 62408 Béthune, Cedex.Tel. 03 21 63 24 54. Fax. 03.21 63 24 42. www.vnf.fr
Body which is responsible for the canals and rivers with the exception of the Somme and the Briare. They are responsible for upkeep and modernisation and have a programme of upgrading in progress. The information is published in French, with an English translation available. The ‘vignette’ (Licence to use the waterways) can be obtained from this site, together with lock opening times for each canal or river, list of books about navigating the waterways and details of closures (chomages).