Our adventures started in 2002 when Oliver asked us if we would like to take a trip in his canal boat in France. Well, would we ever!!!! Our knowlwdge of the French language was almost non existant except for bonjour, s'il vous plait and merci, but that didn't stop us.
May 2002 we left in Trapani which was moored in the H20 Marina ( called Port de Plaisance) in St Jean de Losne about 20 km from Dijon. Our journey was to take us down the Saone River to Lyon then onto the Rhone River to Arles. From Arles we took the Canal Du Rhone a Sete, across the Etang de Thau and into the canal du Midi.
It was quite exciting being on the river and going through the big locks. The largest we went through was a lift of 25 metres. The locks are serviced by the VNF organisation (Vois Navigables de France)and a yearly permit called a vignette is purchased which allows the use of almost all navigable rivers and canals in France which covers about 8000 kilometres.
Our journey took us through towns and villages as the river was the princpal way of travel and commerce from the time of the Romans. We visited as many towns and villages as possible along the way and had a great time visiting historical sights as well as having delicious meals in small village restaurants.
It is very exciting waiting to see what we will pass next,
a town with fabulous tromp l'oeil
a small village with wonderful pathways
a Roman archeological sight
a ruined castle
An historical town like Avignon.
So much history, such fantastic scenery and yummy meals.
We arrived in Arles on a lovely sunny day and moored right in town alongside the river quay. I really like Van Gogh's paintings and after seeing them in the Musee de Orsay I could see why Van Gogh liked to paint here. We walked to all the sights that Van Gogh painted, the Pont still looks the same and the cafe has been kept close to the original painting.
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