Welcome to the Fonocanal website!

The Fonocanal is an autopoietic sound beacon anchored on a bank of the Burgundy canal, not far from lock number 92 in the commune of Saint-Martin-sur-Armaçon, near Tonnerre (Yonne). It continuously plays sounds generated in-situ and in real time, according to weather, seasons, days and various stochastic processes.

Entirely autonomous, the Fonocanal spontaneously emits sounds and sonorities that vary according to the cycle of seasons, days and weather conditions. The sounds it produces surprise and engage passers-by, who are invited to come and listen more closely. Its sounds, both electronic and organic, are inspired by, and even extracted from, the natural and intangible heritage of the Tonnerrois region - ancient voices can even be heard!

Fonocanal on Google Map

The authors

The Fonocanal is a work conceived by Frédéric Voisin, composer, its infrastructure designed and built by Chantal Dugave, artist - architect and Christophe Gonnet, visual artist - sculptor. Fonocanal has been commissioned by Ici et Là, une poétique du canal de Bourgogne.

Fonocanal's design benefited from the CNC's DICRéAM digital creation aid scheme. It was produced with the support of the Burgundy - Franche Comté Region, the Voies Navigable de France, and Roy SARL.