Description
Programme:
Wednesday, 5 May
Meet afternoon/early evening at hotel in Saint-Quentin (easy access by train from Lille, Amiens or Paris). Dinner at restaurant in the historic centre.
Thursday, 6 May
Transfer by coach to Hermies on the Canal du Nord to board our vessel for the cruise, the 90% electric passenger boat Natalia. Pass through the second longest working canal tunnel in France, at Ruyaulcourt. In a few years this tunnel with its unique 1150 m long widened passing section in the middle, will be closed for ever, when the new Seine-Nord Europe Canal opens. We will appreciate the engineering of the canal, opened just over 60 years ago, after its cuttings were used strategically by the forces fighting in two world wars (work started on the canal in 1904). At Allaines, half way down the descent into the Somme Valley, we will pass the site of a new deep lock to connect the new European Class Vb canal with the existing navigation, so from here the Canal du Nord will remain open. Pause for lunch on board just below the lock at Cléry-sur-Somme. After mooring in Béthencourt, bus transfer to the hotel. (Dinner free)
Friday, 7 May
Return by coach to reboard at Béthencourt. We soon turn into the reopened section of the Canal de la Somme, in an often wooded corridor, passing through the first lock at Offoy. The Somme is flanked in this area by shallow lakes where peat was extracted in centuries past, now havens for bird life. After a couple of sharp turns, the neolithic standing stones of ‘Pierre qui Pousse’ can be seen. The town of Ham has two locks separated by a sharp turn, beyond which the Natalia will moor for two nights. After lunch aboard, free time to enjoy the rally organised by the French boaters’ association ANPEI and the Somme authorities. Take part in the official inauguration of the reopened canal section. The boat remains available to those who would like to relax aboard, and the free bar will stay open! Return to hotel in Saint-Quentin. Dinner in nearby restaurant (or stay at Ham and return late, depending on the programme).
Saturday, 8 May
Bus to the rally site at Ham for participation in the day’s events, again using the Natalia as our base. Full arrangements, including lunch aboard the Natalia and a group supper, will be detailed once we have the rally programme. Note that today is also market day in Ham.
Sunday, 9 May
Back to the rally site to say farewell to all, then continue along the canal to the last lock at Saint-Simon, where IWI’s former president David Stevenson had a holiday home, and a Council meeting was held in 1998. Moor at this picturesque site for lunch on board, before heading up the Canal de Saint-Quentin. Dinner in a city centre restaurant.
Monday 10 May
Departure, unless extending the cruise by two additional nights, see separate products.
Download the full programme (including the options) here
https://www.edwardsmay.eu/app/uploads/2026/09/Somme-Ham-section-special-2027.pdf
Price person in double/twin rooms, €1550
Deposit 40%, 620 €
Balance payable through separate product available on this site from 1st February 2027
