The river Aisne was used for commercial navigation as early as the Celtic period, and rafts were floated from a long distance above the present limit of navigation at Vailly-sur-Aisne until the mid-19th century. Canalisation works were begun in 1836, at the same time as construction of the
Canal lateral à l'Aisne. The canal was completed first, in 1841, then two years later the river navigation. Commercial traffic in
péniches carrying 220 tonnes is still active, while recreational traffic is mainly private boats. The waterway is long, from the river Oise to the junction with the lateral canal, and has 7 locks. Through the lateral canal, it links with the
Marne and the
Canal de la Meuse.
En route The kilometre distances continue the numbering from Canal latéral à l'Aisne from east to west. •
PK 51.3 is the end of the
Canal latéral à l'Aisne • PK 64.5
Villeneuve-Saint-Germain • PK 67
Soissons • PK 79
Fontenoy • PK 85
Vic-sur-Aisne • PK 92
Couloisy • PK 104.5
Choisy-au-Bac • PK 108 junction with Canal latéral à l'Oise upstream of
Compiègne == See also ==