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Navigation on the Loire is going full steam
Navigation on the Loire is going full steam
For starters, a little bit of history. Navigation on the Loire reached its peak in the 19th century. The Loire and its tributaries were dotted with the small white sails of vessels transporting passengers and goods. Salt and imported goods from the colonies came up from Nantes, and wine, lumber and silk from Lyon came from upstream. Traditional barges known as gabares, toues and fûtreaux were made of wood and designed with a flat bottom for better handling on the shallow river. Navigation was complex, constantly subject to the vagaries and dangers of the river. Trips were long and trade developed naturally around the ports where the vessels stopped along the Loire. With the advent of steam boats (making navigation possible on the Seine) and the railroad, the 20th century saw the end of these ancestral sailing practices.
Fast forward to the 21st century! A growing number of enthusiasts have revived the sailing tradition on the Loire. In Candes-Saint-Martin, Amboise, Chinon, Savonnières… you are invited to embark on these lovely wooden boats. Why not take a guided trip for a few hours, or enjoy a hearty dinner on board, or even go on a "trek" for several days, a unique opportunity to explore the Loire and its landscapes. The bargees know the banks like the back of their hands and you won't find a more exceptional view than from the deck of their boats! An excellent experience that shouldn't be missed.
The Loire fleet
The fleet of traditional sailboats on the Loire is comprised of various types of boats. Fûtreaux, gabares, toues and coches... while the shapes of these wooden barges differ, they all have one thing in common: the flat shape of their hulls, which allows them to navigate even in the shallowest water, sometimes less than 30 centimetres! In this respect, their origins are said to draw on longships! This feature is imperative for navigation on the Loire as the river is now choked with sand and the water level can be very low in the summer season.
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Boat rides
