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France
Hauts-De-France
Saint-Omer
Arques

Fontinettes Boat Lift

Highlight • Monument

Fontinettes Boat Lift

Recommended by 24 cyclists out of 25

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel régional des Caps et marais d'Opale

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    Top cycling routes to Fontinettes Boat Lift

    4.2

    (13)

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    1. Chestnut tree bridge – Saint-Omer station loop from Arques

    17.0km

    01:02

    30m

    30m

    Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Easy

    Expert bike ride. Great for any fitness level. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

    Expert

    Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Tips

    March 9, 2025

    The Ascenseur à bateaux des Fontinettes is a historic boat lift in Arques, France. It was built between 1881 and 1887 and is the only remaining boat lift in France. It was built to link the River Lys with the River Aa, giving Lille and other inland cities a French route to the sea. The canal has a maximum height of 19 metres and a minimum height of 3 metres. It is a unique feat of hydraulic engineering and works on the principle of communicating vessels and Archimedes' law. It can carry two boats at a time and takes approximately 22 minutes to raise or lower a boat. It is a popular tourist attraction and offers a fascinating insight into France's industrial history.

    Translated by Google •

      June 4, 2023

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        Elevation 70 m

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        Tuesday 11 November

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        Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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        Location: Arques, Saint-Omer, Hauts-De-France, France

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