One of the best vacations we've ever experienced was to rent a canal boat and float solo down the Canal du Nivernais. Along the canal are many bridges such as this one, in which a single person can crank the draw to allow the boat to pass. Of course, you have to dock on the canal side, let the person off, wait for them to raise the bridge, pass through, dock canal side, and then wait for them to lower the bridge and reboard the boat. Burgundy region of France along the Canal du Nivernais; September, 2009.