Barge Navigation
Today was a fascinating learning about canal barging and navigation in France. With 100 canals, the canal system covers 5000 miles linking all parts of France with the sea. Since the 1600s the canals have been used to transport goods to market. The earliest barges were towed by humans, typically the owner of the barge and his family. For those who were wealthier, they could buy or rent mules or horses to tow the barge. In today’s world the barges are more used for pleasure since transporting goods is more efficient with trucks or trains.
Along this canal, we experienced several unique features. First we went through a canal bridge where the highway ran under the canal. Later we went through two tunnels through the mountains. We even had a candlelight lunch because we were in the longest tunnel. Last we went through the Inclined Plane of Saint-Louis-Arzviller. This boat lift was inaugurated in 1969 to replaces a ladder of 17 locks. It is basically a boat elevator. We entered the chamber at the top and a series of pullies that lowered us down to the lower canal.
After we went through the Inclined Plane, we docked and took a short walk to the local Cristal factory Lehrer. There we had a demonstration of both glass blowing and engraving crystal. It was hard to resist buying a bucket load of crystal. For the final part of today’s sail. Most of our group disembarked and walked or rode bikes along the tow path. Since there were a number of locks it was a pleasant stroll.it did give us the opportunity to witness how tight a fit it is for our barge to navigate through the locks. But our young 25 yr old Captain is very experienced.
