Hello Vaughan.
I have another question as you seem to know the area perfectly.
I plan to take the barge up to Blois, as much as possible by river via the Briare canal towards Montargis.
To my knowledge, the Orléans canal which arrives from Montargis to Combleux (Orléans) "is no longer navigable", is there anyway a way to use it?
I will then finish up to Blois by the Loire, at a time when the waters will be high enough, the idea being to do only a minimum on the Loire.
Theoretically the simplest would be to go directly up the Loire to Blois, but technically i prefer to follow the maximum secure ways ..............
Thank you for your opinion.