The Fontinettes boat elevator

Start: Departure from the Fontinettes boat elevator in Arques.

(S/E) Head West and take the towpath along the canal on your left-hand. Always continue straight ahead along the designated path.

(1) Follow the Écluse des Flandres (lock), then cross the marina access arm on a footbridge.

(2) At the foot of the railroad bridge, turn right, following the railroad line on your left-hand side, then the marina on your right. Go through a gate into Rue du Loucheur (Street). Continue straight on to the level crossing.

(3) Cross the railroad at the level crossing and turn left into Avenue François Mitterrand (Road). Take the first track on the left (Chemin de l'Étang). At the fork, take the left-hand path (go straight on). Follow the railroad line on your left and the Étang Beauséjour (former sand pit) on your right.

(4) Turn right and cross the pond on the seawall. At the end, turn away from the pond and follow the street, which first arcs to the right, then veers to the right.

(5) Turn left into Rue Michelet (Street) towards Étang de Malhove (Pond). After passing under the arch of the railroad bridge, you'll come to l'Étang de Malhove (Pond).

(6) Go around the pond to the right and, halfway along its east bank, turn right with the path. Continue along Rue de Montpellier (Street).

(7) Turn left into Rue de Bordeaux (Street). At the end, turn right. Cross the D210 road (careful) and continue straight ahead. After approx. 75m, leave the road turning right, continuing straight ahead on a dirt track along the "Vieux Fossé" stream on your right. When you reach a bridge, continue along the small road (do not use the bridge).

(8) At the entrance to the forest, turn right and follow a path along the forest edge for about 800m.

(9) Turn right and cross the Vieux Fossé. Cross a track, cross the railroad at the level crossing and cross a track again. After about 100 m, take the first path on the right (West-South-West). At the end, continue along Rue Parmentier 5road). At the next crossroads, turn left to reach Avenue Pierre Mendès-France.

(10) Turn right into the avenue and take the second left into Rue Pierre Curie (Street). Continue along the railroad line on your right-hand side. When the street bends to the left, turn right, carefully cross the railroad through the gate and find the boat lift (S/E).

Start: Departure from the Fontinettes boat elevator in Arques.

Completed in 1887, the boat lift enabled barges to overcome the 13m height difference, thanks to a Roberval balance-type device and Archimedes' thrust.