Aug 19 The Seine

Melun prison not in use. Still very intimidating and impressive!

After departing the Canal du Loing, I entered the Seine River. As the Saone and Rhone (see previous descriptions) the river is an entirely different nautical experience than a canal. Current, locks that are humungous compared to the canals (water use is much less of an issue), and a very large increase in traffic. I fueled (a necessary part of boating), and then set of towards Paris. As I went along, the increasing urbanization was obvious at every turn of the river. There are lines of peniches used as homes, there are industrial activities evident, both past and present, and there are many commercial boats, mostly hauling sand, gravel, recycling, or grain.

sunrise on the Seine: crappy mooring, but beautiful way to start the day

evening cool down. Why I chose this mooring

I moored in a very uncomfortable place ( actually a bad choice on my part, as there were a couple of options further on) but there were incipient thunderstorms, with wind gusts that are not my friend, while trying to moor. So… But there were compensations!

one of hundreds of similar passenger boats ready to help you explore Paris or you could visit me!

Then, I set off very early this morning, advised to cross Paris before the Mouchettes begin (a mouchette is a cruise/view ship, and there are hundreds moored as I went through the city). In a non-Covid year, I am sure it would be very busy, but this trip, I only (narrowly) encountered one.

Notre Dame, after the fire. They have enough scaffolding and cranes…

Obligatory Parisien photo

But there are a few things to see as one passes through Paris. It IS a tourist destination for a reason, and I only got pics as I passed through. Most places might be easily recognized, but the angle, from the river, might be strange and unfamiliar (unless you paid big money to the tour boats!)

About Ed Mortimer

I'm a retired school teacher, now living on my Dutch cruiser in France. I'm touring as much of the canals and river systems as I can. This blog describes what I do and where I've been. I did spend 5 years on first a narrowboat, and then this boat, in Britain.
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