Canal locks in Golbey

The staircase locks on Canal des Vosges in Golbey consist of several interconnected chambers arranged in sequence to handle water level changes. Each chamber fills and empties in turn, allowing boats to move up or down the waterway in steps.

These locks were built in the mid-1800s as part of France's canal expansion to connect the Moselle River with the Rhine. They show how engineers of that time used water routes to link different regions together.

The locks represent significant French engineering achievements, demonstrating the nation's expertise in developing water management infrastructure during the industrial period.

Visitors can watch the locks from the towpaths alongside the canal, where they can see the operation and understand how the mechanism works. Walking or cycling past them is the best way to observe the process at your own pace.

The locks arranged one after another allow boats to overcome large height differences over a short distance, enabling transport through hilly terrain. This arrangement was an innovative solution at the time for navigating difficult landscapes.

Location: Golbey

Operator: VNF

GPS coordinates: 48.20111,6.42861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:02