Canal tunnels
The French network of navigable waterways (canals, rivers, etc.) totals more than 8,500 km. These waterways include numerous infrastructures such as locks, aqueducts, bridges, canal bridges, tunnels, etc.
These waterways are mainly managed by:
- Voies Navigables de France (VNF)
- the City of Paris
- the Nièvre Departmental Council
- the Loire-Atlantique Departmental Council
In 1991, the French government entrusted VNF with the management of waterway assets under its responsibility, including responsibility for their operation, maintenance, modernisation, enhancement and development.
Some canals feature tunnels, including the longest in France: the Riqueval underground tunnel, as well as the oldest: the Malpas tunnel.
France has 33 canal tunnels in operation. They are spread across 16 waterways.
The total length of this network is 41.9 km.
Eight canal tunnels (Riqueval, Mauvages, Balesmes, Ruyaulcourt, Pouilly, Braye en Laonnois, Arzviller and Mont de Billy) alone account for 71% of the total length (approximately 30 km).
The following are available below:
For more information:
- VNF website
- City of Paris website..