France

The system is split into the Réseau Magistral (the larger freight waterways) and the Réseau Régional (mainly pêniche size or less). 

80% of French waterways are run by Voies Navigables de France (VNF) (www.vnf.fr ), which is answerable to the new Ministère de l'Écologie, du Développment et de l'Aménagement durables.  They manage 6700km of waterways and 40000ha of waterside land, through seven inter-regional directorates.  Their annual income budget is 207 million Euros, broken down as:

- 95 million from central and local Government;

- 78 million from water abstraction, discharge and hydroelectric use;

- 34 million from user payments.

Waterways in the Réseau Régional can be devolved to Départements or Regional groupings. This has occurred so far with the Brittany canals, the Sarthe/Mayenne/Oudon, Charente, C.du Nivernais and the Somme, which are no longer managed by VNF.  Funding then comes from regional Government and not from the centre.

Local administrations also sometimes provide moorings and marinas.

The Rhône is a special case.  Here, although VNF still has overall responsibility, the Companie National du Rhône (CNR) manages the navigation (including 14 large locks) in a  concession arrangement, as well as water supply to agriculture and hydroelectric power generation (at 19 power stations).  CNR was established in 1921 as a vehicle for undertaking capital works to improve the navigation and construct inland ports and power stations.  It is a public utility company, with just under 50% of the shares held by Electrabel (a power company, part of the SUEZ goup).  The main improvement works to the navigation were completed in the 1970s, mainly funded by electricity sales.  It operates in partnership with the state, VNF, Région Rhône-Apes, Communauté Urbaine de Lyon, Ville de Saint Fons and obtains grant for some developments from regional funds. Its operational income is from tolls, sales of hydroelectricity and operation of wind turbines.  Its turnover was 657million Euros in 2006, the vast majority of its income being from electricity sales.   Details are available at  www.cnr.tm.fr.  The website includes annual reports with financial accounts in English.  The Rhône is increasingly being used by private leisure craft and by a large number of hotel boats, as well as by freight vessels.

The French part of the Rhine is managed under intenational treaties and it all gets very complicated - I suggest we don't go there!

Restoration schemes in France are variously funded. For a good example see the River Marque/Roubaix Canal/Espierres Canal project at  www.bluelinks2008.org - a 37 million Euro project, 50% from EU, rest from partners in France and Belgium.

Some major capital projects are supported by European funding - e.g. the proposed new Seine-Nord link will probably be funded through a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement,with funds sourced from the EU, the French state, French regions and Belgian, Dutch and German regions - full details are availble at www.seine-nord-europe.com.  See section 6 of document A on the website for a financial summary.

If you are emailing to ask for information and want to get the most helpful response, it is best to email in French.