Aqueducts were used to cross the Allier at Le Guétin (in the commune of Cuffy) and the Loire at Digoin.

By the late 18th century with the completion of the Canal du Centre, the Bourbonnais route from the Seine to the Saône was substantially the same as at present, except for the use of the navigable Loire between Briare and Digoin.

The introduction of steam haulage and dredging failed to produce the reliability of the canals, so it was in 1822 that the order to build was finally given to the Compagnie des Quatre Canaux.

With the adoption of the Freycinet gauge in 1879, and the upgrading of the canal system, the frequent delays of several days to cross the Loire at Briare became intolerable.

These support a single metal beam carrying a trough with more than 13,000 tonnes of water, 2.2 metres deep.