The Loire Valley and especially Blois
The weather was beautiful on Saturday, sunny with a maximum of 25°C so went went on our favourite bike ride from Blois to Chambord via Saint Dyé sur Loire where one of the traditional flat-bottomed boats was reflected perfectly in the water. Il faisait un temps splendide samedi : ensoleillé avec un maxmimum de 25°C. …
Continue reading “Back on our Bikes – De nouveau sur nos vélos”
I love these flat-bottomed boats in the Loire opposite Blois. J’adore ces gabarres sur la Loire en face de Blois.
These traditional flat-bottom boats certainly lend a picturesque note to Blois seen from the bike route on the banks of the Loire. Ces gabarres traditionnels sur la Loire à Blois vues de la piste cyclable contribuent à son côté pittoresque.
Châteauneuf-sur-Loire is a little town of about 8,000 people on the north bank of the Loire and part of the Loire à Vélo and Eurovélo cycling routes. The river banks are a delight for both cyclists and pedestrians. There are also many gabarres flat-bottom boats. Sur le circuit de la Loire à Vélo et l’Eurovélo 6, …
It was on our way to Amboise via Chaumont that we saw this lovely sunset over the Loire, with its flat-bottomed boats patiently waiting for the tourist season. C’est en allant à Amboise en passant par Chaumont que nous avons vu ce beau coucher de soleil sur la Loire avec ses gabarres qui attendent patiemment …
Continue reading “Sunset at Chaumont – Coucher de soleil à Chaumont”
A solar panel hardly seems appropriate on this beautiful traditional flat-bottomed boat on the confluence of the Thouet and the Loire. Photo taken from the Loire à vélo cycle path. Le panneau solaire ne permet pas de s’y croire mais belle gabarre traditionnelle située sur la confluence du Thouet et de la Loire. Photo prise depuis …
You may remember an earlier photo showing a typical flat-bottomed boat on the Loire. Vous vous souvenez peut-être d’une autre photo de gabarre sur la Loire.
The gabarre flat-bottomed boat, from the Greek karabos meaning shell, refers to several types of river boats in various places along the Atlantic seaboard. Their flat bottom means that with a shallow draught, they can transport a maximum load. The ones on the Loire Valley often have rigging as well. They are made of clapboard, that is, overlapping …