Sunday, May 11, 2008

Canal Saint-Martin Barge Picnic

Our port is on the canal Saint-Martin with a lock on the Seine and a tunnel heading up to the 10th arrondissement at the Bastille end of the port. La Villette is at the other end of the canal in the 19th arrondissement. The trip along the canal to La Villette is only about 5 kilometers long, but because you have to pass through 4 double locks and two swing bridges,the trip takes at least two hours each way.

When our friends Jerry and Suzanne, whose barge "La Lavande" is just across the port, invited us to cruise along with them and their friends for a picnic at La Villette, we didn't hesitate for one second before saying, "We'd love to!". We have made this same trip on our barge, but this time we would be the guests instead of captain and crew.

Camera in hand, we had time to make a little movie of our fabulous day cruising through the streets of Paris.

9 comments:

Suzanne said...

What a wonderful movie and momento of a delightful day! Thanks Nancy and Bill. Suzanne

Misplaced said...

I just found your site- I am completely fascinated by your lives!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for your comment on your blog. Your life on the barge sounds very intriguing and what a dreamy life you have. I am looking forward to reading more.

Bill and Nancy on Eclaircie said...

misplaced and lapage,

You are both right, living on a barge in France is both fascinating and dreamy, and we still can't believe how lucky we were to find a mooring right in the middle of Paris.

Thanks for your comments, and we look forward to reading more about your adventures in Paris.

Anonymous said...

My wife and I love your website, and wish to thank for the pleasure of visiting your site. The Canal St. Martin photos bring back many wonderful memories of staying near there, and truly enjoying the neighbors, merchants, restraunts, neighborhoods and scenes. Thanks again, and all the best.


Jim & Eileen in Morgan Hill, CA

Anonymous said...

I'm sure this is probably clear, but I meant to say thanks for the comment on my blog, not on your blog. I was typing too fast, I think.
You are indeed so lucky to have found a spot right in the middle of Paris.

Anonymous said...

A few years ago my wife and I stood on one of the bridges in your clip and watched barges go past. Perhaps that was the start of my obsession. Our business is on the market and we plan to be in Europe by Christmas. I read your blog regularly. . . Peter O

Bill and Nancy on Eclaircie said...

Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave a comment. It is really nice to know that someone out there is stopping by to see what we are doing.

Anyone interested in this barging life, like Peter, can email us through our web site, and we would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

We have a lot of friends who we first met when they sent us email questions and who are now neighbors in our barging community.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful nostalgic ride through the canal .We have fond memories of sitting on the back of our boat waving at the tour boat riders as they passed "Allez Les Bleus" on their trip.
See you in Paris! Beth and Jim