In a pleasant setting at the gateway to the Puisaye region in Burgundy, the village of Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses is home to a very fine structure built in the 17th century on the Briare Canal: an impressive staircase of locks, now a listed historic monument, which was in use from 1642 to 1880. Its construction required all the ingenuity of its designers, whose work enabled the canal to cross the hill and thus link the Loire to the Seine via the Loing Valley. For this technical feat, some 12,000 men were needed to dig the steps in the marshy terrain! From the top of the seven locks, 24 metres above ground, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the village. And from the bottom, admire the majesty of the site... At the end of July each year, the locks are illuminated at a superb pyrotechnic show that draws a big audience.
Apart from this unusual structure, so central to the local identity, you can also take a look at Rogny's bridges and footbridges over the Loing and the Briare Canal, stroll around its little harbour or visit its Romanesque church and washhouse. This charming spot has a water sports centre and no shortage of natural treasures, offering day-trippers a choice between a hike or a boat ride.
