A Journey on the Canals of Burgundy, France Photo Gallery by Ron Horloff at pbase.com

A Journey on the Canals of Burgundy, France

****CLICK ON A PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT****

The canals of France were constructed from the 1600s-1800s, primarily to transport goods; now the canals have found use as a tourist destination. For six October days, we gently glided at a walking pace through beautiful rolling hills and charming villages, past the occasional fisherman and hiker on the tow path next to the canal.

The journey took us 55 miles (88km) through 17 locks on the Canal Latéral à la Loire and the Canal de Roanne à Digoin, at a speed of about 3 mph (4.8 kph), on the Swan barge. The Swan is owned by a very friendly and delightful couple, Diana and Kellogg, who are both certified pilots. In addition, Diana has a diploma from France's La Varenne Cooking School and prepared beautiful and creative meals that continually amazed us. Kellogg is knowledgeable about wine, and selects the wines to match Diana's cooking.

Each afternoon we would take a day trip, visiting a nearby town, church, abbey, or château; all were interesting and thoroughly enjoyable.

The Swan	Along the way	Approaching a lock	Lockmaster opening valve to fill lock
Cranking open the front gates	Charolais cattle in the mist	A typical lunch on the Swan	An abbey along the canal
A damp walk	Brick outhouse	The burn	Hay bale
Two Fishermen	Morning web	Thinking about it	Morning mist
Scallops for dinner	Rooftops	On the farm	Pigeon house, Château Drée (1620)
Tied up for the night	A bit of weather	Diana in the galley	Cheval in the mist
Old dock	The chair	A side trip	Lunchtime on the Swan
Old house	Anzy-le-Duc	Cloisters at Charlieu	Lockmaster waiting
Comfortable main cabin on the Swan	A curious cat at the lock	Company	Old farm
The pilot and sommelier, Kellogg	Peaceful curve	Wall and flowers	The cheese course
At Charlieu	A Mona Lisa smile	Château Drée	Hidden abbey
Rider on the bridge	On the Swan	Cathedral in Paray-le-Monial	Lockmaster's house
Misty morning	First course at dinner	The posing native	A peaceful discussion
Patio along the canal	Empty planters on a bridge	Sweeping the yard	Let sleeping cattle lie
Searching for?	Reflections	A day's delight	The lock dog
Lock mechanics	Utility pole	Vegetable garden and laundry	Taking a rest
Cemetary	Old boat	Rusty hinge	The Swan entering a lock
Old loader	Village church	Charlieu	Heron
At Château Drée	Sign	Old building along the canal	Château Drée
Main cabin on the Swan	Our hosts Diana and Kellogg, at Château Drée	At a lock	Life is everywhere
Restaurant Le St. Louis	A small village	How to know which sock?	Here we are
Climb a tank	Small dock	Approaching a lock	Strolling to the lock
Along the canal	Marcigny	Fresh flowers on the Swan	Village river
Village drifting by	Chimneys	Old wall	Well, well, well
Hidden abbey	Window	Resting	Better days
Post box.	Tying up	Rake	To the restaurant
Old structure along the canal	Business along canal	Start of another meal	Cute house
Canal stroll	Boat docking	Le Vieux Moulin	Small boat
Vintage car lamp	Delivery truck	Ancient well	Pouring the wine for lunch
Village church	Entering a lock	Woof	Fishermen
Along the canal	Kitchen at Château Drée	Approaching the first lock	The Swan
Bedroom in Château Drée	A stroll through town	Old house	Ruin
For the garden	Is that a catnip plant?	In a lock	In church
Out for a stroll	Abbey at Anzy le Duc	The Swan in a lock	Diversions on board
Lockmaster at work	Lace window	Castle detail	To the abbey
House	Church detail	Farm	Out for a stroll
Chimney	Cornucopia	Place des Quatre Marmoins	Boulangerie
Deep lock	Anyone home?	Fowl drapes	Two poles
Towers	Side trip	Lamp	Well flowers
Canal house	Church	Half-timbered windows	The deepest lock
Approaching a lock	Passing branches	Patissier	Green window
Peaceful	Window decoration	Checking the water level	Cottage
Out for a stroll	Strange combination	Old bridge	Wheel barrow
Window and lamp	Place des Quatre Marmoins	The Swan barge	First morning on the canal
Canal distances	The Swan bow	House along the canal	Reflections
Preparing to leave - the first day	Cheese course after a lunch	A dull morning	Bucolic
The morning diary	Canal master house	Next stop?	Slowly....
On the canal	At Château Drée	Afternoon coffee	How the locks work
Stairway to ?	The workers	The green door	Quiet rue
Coming through a lock	Table on the Swan	Cafe	A foggy bend
Fellow traveller	Village view	In the kitchen with Diana	Canal on bridge over river below
Just floating by	The Swan heading into a lock	Fall colors	Passing a small village
Lunch along the canal

post a comment

Krzysztof Maslowski		10-Nov-2008 19:28
A really great collection of rural life. VOTE! Will you comment on my http://www.pbase.com/krzysztofmaslowski/nature

Gokhan ISKIFOGLU		28-Aug-2008 06:45
interesting and unique gallery. Nice colors and reflections. Quite successful.

Fay Stout		13-Aug-2008 14:56
Fantastic gallery.... makes me want to go right now in spite of "the dollar". Your wide assortment of photographs give such a complete view of your trip and why some of us have fallen in love with France and their way of life. Merci beaucoup! (V!) Better tll "that guy" who just commented to get some more frequent flyer miles so we can go soon!!

Dick Stout		12-Aug-2008 12:45
My wife and I love France. Your photos were terrific. Thanks... How do we contact the barge you were on?

Michel CORBOZ		01-Aug-2008 00:02
Merci de partager toutes ces beautés !!! Vote

Richard DEBROISE		03-Apr-2008 07:43
Very interesting gallery.

Stephen		14-Feb-2008 06:01
We cruised twice with Dianna and Kellog. Couldn't have been better. We will miss them Your eye for the details really makes the cruise come to life.

Dudy Tuchfeld		08-Feb-2008 05:30
wonderful http://www.pbase.com/dudyt

endre novak		22-Dec-2007 15:22
excellent gallery, makes one wish to do that trip

Jim Woodworth		11-Sep-2007 15:51
I hadn't visited your galleries for a while - too bad - I've been missing some wonderful art. This is a great gallery, as usual.

Karen Duffy		06-Sep-2007 01:08
You've captured what looks like a fabulously relaxing trip down the canal. I can almost taste the wine and cheese and see the beautiful sights. Well done. V

Georgia Roessler		28-Aug-2007 23:39
Super gallery, Ron! We did this trip in 1990, before digital, alas! Your impressions here bring nack so many fond memories.

Alba		24-Aug-2007 15:18
lovely pictures. great colors and dood spots

Sandi Whitteker		16-Aug-2007 05:21
Super gallery. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Now more than ever. V

Denis		14-Aug-2007 08:54
Charles Trenet chantait "Douce France, le pays de mon enfance...". Et bien voici une bien belle série de clichés que pourrait accompagner la chanson de celui que l'on appelait dans notre pays "le fou chantant". Merci de nous rappeler, parfois avec humour, parfois avec tendresse, que nous français habitons un beau pays dont nous ignorons souvent tous les attraits et toute la richesse des paysages.Cette ballade photos est un enchantement. Merci

Oktay Cagatay		25-May-2007 18:38
Great gallery and wonderful colors,voted.

Greg Little		25-Feb-2007 21:01
Very nice gallery. Beautiful country. Looks like you enjoyed the wine as well.

Richard Calmes		14-Feb-2007 15:17
This must have been a great trip. I have run along these canals and there are a lot o interesting sights! And you captured a lot of memories beautifully here! V

Bernard Tse		03-Jan-2007 13:21
Always a pleasure to view your travel pics. Great captures.

Ali Majdfar		27-Dec-2006 13:14
Splendid gallery, stunning captures. GMV

Martha Albuquerque		13-Dec-2006 01:15
Lovely collection of great photos. v

Guest		10-Dec-2006 15:25
Ron, you have an artist's eye for seeing the beauty in the ordinary and making it spectacular. I was on that trip and enjoyed seeing it re-created through your eyes. Thanks. Sue

Patrick DEBETENCOURT		28-Nov-2006 12:55
Ron, you have an eye for beauty and you were able to see and shoot great details during your trip on the Burgundy canal. I'm very impressed. You've my vote. Patrick

Wendy O		25-Nov-2006 03:57
This looks utterly delightful! I want to go!!! Great shots, nice variety, you've captured this trip beautifully.

Teddy Cooper		22-Nov-2006 08:42
Hello Ron, very often we used to say " thank you for sharing" but in this particular case ( your journey on the Burgundy canals ), you not only allowed me to share but you took me among your party and then, I really had a very nice time among such a lovely french country : as we say here : "Bravo Ron "

Nunes BEIRAO - PHOTO		13-Nov-2006 18:16
As usual a great project with your talented signature, Ron. Wonderful places, colours and style, too! v

Marisa D.L.		09-Nov-2006 18:17
What a lively and wonderful atmosphere expressed here by your photos! Marisa

Jim Semonik		06-Nov-2006 23:06
Nice gallery Ron

Marc Demoulin		06-Nov-2006 19:44
What a wonderful and unusual way of visiting France you've choosen here Ron! This has given you the opportunity to see and shoot sceneries which are not commonly seen. Great work. Vote. Marc

Krey'z Images		25-Oct-2006 20:24
Nice gallery Ron , looking forward to many additions !

Mary Bowles		23-Oct-2006 21:01
Lovely. Hope to see many more on this gallery. What a change from your usual pictures. The lighting, especially. Looks like a great holiday.

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