TOPIC: Fluvial and Fluviacartes - in liquidation

James Newcombe wrote: FWIW Fluvial are to keep me updated with any further news.

I am so saddened to read about the demise of these titles. I have all the Fluvial Navicartes on board and have used them constantly from our first venture into La France in 1995. One will sit there on the left of our dashboard with the computer screen showing the electronic way, courtesy of PC-NaviGo, on the right. I do have a number of De Briel guides and recognise their advantages but still like the paper guides we were brought-up on.

I do hope someone or some organisation takes over and continues the good work Fluvial has done over so many years.

Bob

John Frazer wrote: We prefer paper charts (to pc based ones) so the loss of the magazine and the maps is a double blow will look to complete any gaps in our collection asap. The De Rouck geocarte map for North France and Belgium is also sadly missed a few old copies available here datema-amsterdam.nl/en/charts/inland/pilot-reims-rotterdam

Further search shows De Rouck have resurfaced available here www.derouck.com/en/product-category/guides-en/by-boat/ though the website looks far from complete

We prefer paper charts (to pc based ones) so the loss of the magazine and the maps is a double blow will look to complete any gaps in our collection asap. The De Rouck geocarte map for North France and Belgium is also sadly missed a few old copies available here datema-amsterdam.nl/en/charts/inland/pilot-reims-rotterdam

Yes, the Guide du Plaisancier is a loss - maybe someone will take on this Almanac, it is unique.
I think Vagnon still continues with other nautical maps etc but their waterway guides were 'bizarre' (as the French have it). D E-M would know.
.
Here we are - https://www.vagnon.fr/qui-sommes-nous
Vagnon editions were created in 1963 by Henri Vagnon. This civil servant from a navigation service had the good idea to create a preparation manual for the yachting permit, inland waters option, which at the time was still called the “river permit”. This manual inaugurated the long series of famous Vagnon Codes .

The Vagnon Codes have now become the official training materials for the various boat licenses: very recognized in the maritime environment, they are published in partnership with the Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition. Logically, Vagnon quickly also offered technical books on navigation, boat maintenance or maritime regulations, but also books for fishing and diving or nautical guides, including the French versions of the Imray Guides , a true world reference. .

In 2012, Vagnon editions were bought by the Fleurus group. The perfect opportunity to open up a hitherto very specialized editorial line to themes and works for the general public, without ever losing the link to the sea. Children's books, DIY or leisure books, beautiful books and pop-ups or even books on ecology or maritime history have therefore appeared in the catalog of our brand, which likes to define itself as “the publisher of the sea” .

Finally, in parallel with this nautical production, Vagnon is also developing a range of survival and first aid books.
.

James Newcombe wrote: Unfortunately the sad fact is that the once ubiquitous Fluviacartes (formerly Navicartes) have been outshone by Breil; the better product has won. IMHO.
Our sales of Fluviacartes have declined markedly over the last few years although they remained measurable.

That's the truth. Fluviacartes have added colour to their charts but they still look tired and unattractive compared with Du Breil. However although alternative charts are readily available, what about their Le Guide du Plaisancier? This annual publication is essential and, as far as I know there's no alternative, although the DBA Waterways Guide has some of the information included. in the Guide.

Peter

Incidentally did the quirky Vagnon series of charts suffer the same fate as Fluviacarte? I've not seen them for years

FWIW Fluvial are to keep me updated with any further news.

Unfortunately the sad fact is that the once ubiquitous Fluviacartes (formerly Navicartes) have been outshone by Breil; the better product has won. IMHO.
Our sales of Fluviacartes have declined markedly over the last few years although they remained measurable.

Very sad news indeed. We use many of the the FluviaCarte guides.

Thanks James for this report. I was just putting the sad news in Blue Flag but couldn't find much in the way of detail on their website apart from the Feb issue being the last and digital only. Where did you get this report and can I use it in Feb Blue Flag please?

Sad news. The company that publishes Fluvial magazine and the Fluviacarte guides has put itself into liquidation after 40+ years.
.

This February issue is special in more ways than one. First of all, its content is almost exclusively devoted to navigation. Then, it is offered only in digital version. Finally, this will unfortunately be the last issue of Fluvial published by our Scop, a small independent publisher.

While in March 2020, we were preparing to celebrate our 300th issue, with great cruises to be won in partnership with rental companies, but also a promotional campaign in kiosks and on social networks, the Covid played the trouble- parties, and this was only the beginning of its misdeeds: the impact of the health crisis on river tourism and, by ricochet effect, on the magazine is still being felt, while 2022 was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fluvial.

This added to the difficulties encountered by the press, which has been abused by free online information for several years. Looting and illegal sharing of content also weaken our newspapers. The decline in circulation was accompanied by a significant increase in manufacturing costs (+7% in printing costs for 2022 compared to 2021) and delivery, with postage rates that continue to soar : + 22% between 2016 and 2022. Not to mention the events of the late Presstalis, which caused disruptions in the distribution of titles to newsagents as well as an exceptional contribution imposed on all publishers for several years. Increases that we have only slightly passed on to single-issue and subscription rates so as not to discourage our readers, who are, let's remember, very attached to paper (only 6% of you opt for the only web version). When at the end of 2012, Fluvial took the digital turn, it was expecting more enthusiasm for this formula, which would have made it possible to reduce these costs.

Finally, the growing dissatisfaction of seafarers with regard to the state of the network has made the magazine a collateral victim. Although a player in river tourism, our small press company was not eligible for the support plan for the tourism sector. Last summer, the effects of the health crisis persisting, so we asked for financial support from our Region, crossed by one of the busiest canals in France, and Voies navigables de France. Unfortunately, we were unable to convince them to help the only national monthly mainly dedicated to river yachting.

Despite all the team's efforts to keep the magazine afloat, the adventure is over for us. Nevertheless, we hope that the title will be reborn soon. Thank you to you, our loyal readers, who have brought this magazine to life and shared with us your passion for rivers and canals. Thank you to you loyal advertisers, who believed in Fluvial to promote your activities. Thank you to the communities who have understood the interest of promoting their territory through our magazine. Thank you to all our employees who sailed and cycled to meet the river heritage (but not only!) and the people of the water. Thank you to all our service providers, and especially to our webmaster Mathieu Vilaplana, who has been generous to us so that you can discover this issue. And thank you to Philippe Devisme and Patrick Join-Lambert for their constant trust and kindness.

The entire Fluvial team wishes you great sailing for 2022!