The section we would travel, from Auxerre to Vermonton, is actually a canalised river, with locks every mile or two along the 25-mile stretch. But in common with much of the French canal network, the locks - or ecluses - are manned either by full-time employees of the Voies Navigables de France, which runs the waterways, or as seasonal jobs by students, so unless you choose to help, all you need to do is sail in and all the work is done for you....
Indeed, Tim is happy to perform the task single-handed, knocking The Randle into neutral and trotting down the side deck to fling on a bow line over the mooring posts which brings her to a complete halt.
With the wheel hard over to keep the stern against the lock wall, he then applies a little throttle to hold The Randle steady as the level changes, the engine acting as a spring in conjunction with the bowline.
Then, as the gates open, it's gently into forward gear to release the tension on the bowline which can then be flipped off and away we go. It makes for remarkable smooth and efficient passage from one stretch of canal to another - although, being France, you have to remember that everything stops for dejeuner for an hour from Midi !
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