Canal du Centre (France)

Canal du Centre
Canal du Centre in Paray-le-Monial.
Specifications
Length	112.1 km (69.7 mi)
Locks	61 (originally 80)
History
Former names	Canal du Charollais
Principal engineer	Émiland Gauthey
Date approved	1783
Construction began	1784
Date of first use	1792
Date completed	1792
Geography
Start point	Digoin
End point	Chalon-sur-Saône
Beginning coordinates	46°28′39″N 3°58′50″E / 46.47756°N 3.98053°E / 46.47756; 3.98053 at aqueduct crossing Loire in Digoin
Ending coordinates	46°47′53″N 4°52′48″E / 46.79812°N 4.88008°E / 46.79812; 4.88008
Branch of	Bourbonnais route
Connects to	Canal latéral à la Loire at Digoin, Saône at Chalon-sur-Saône

The Canal du Centre (French pronunciation: [kanal dy sɑ̃tʁ]), originally known as the Canal du Charollais (French pronunciation: [kanal dy ʃaʁɔlɛ]), is a French canal running from Digoin, where it now joins the Canal latéral à la Loire, to the Saône at Chalon-sur-Saône. It was opened in 1792 and was the first watershed canal allowing boats to pass from the north of France to the south. It is 112.1 kilometres (69.7 mi) long and has 61 locks. Most of its traffic was generated by now abandoned coal mines at Montceau-les-Mines.