Alouette is a Luxemotor barge built in 1910 in Zwartsluis, Holland. She was first used as a cattle transporter, and later as a shrimp fishing boat. In 2002, she was lovingly converted by a British couple into a liveaboard barge. We are her third owners - Randy and Deborah, two Americans from Colorado who escaped corporate life in search of an adventure. After a few years of searching for the right adventure, we discovered the barging life. Having sailed for most of our adult lives, it seemed a perfect fit. We spent another year looking for the right barge and in the summer of 2010 found her in Roanne, France. We've renamed her Alouette - the Lark. And so in her 100th year, together with our two Russian Blue cats, we're shoving off for a life on the canals and rivers of Europe.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Apremont-sur-Allier

 

At one of the locks before we reached Decize, our lock keeper excitedly chatted with me about our flowers - his petunias were not doing as well as mine, etc.,  we have villages designated Ville Fleuri (the villages with the most beautiful flower displays) and our boat should have a "Bateau Fleuri" designation - a very big compliment - and then he asked for our cruising guide.  He pointed out a chateau on our map and said we must use our velos (bicycles) to ride over to see the gardens.  It was only about a 5 kilometer ride from the quai near the double locks at Le Guetin, so we hopped on our bicycles and headed out to Apremont-sur-Allier.  Our route took us along a canal no longer in use with a round lock taking barges into the Allier, which at that time was a navigable river.  Now it is a beautiful spot for fishing, kayaking, and the river is a spawning ground for salmon making some of which make a 6,000 kilometer journey home to spawn.
Round lock, this could be fun!


Back on our bikes, we rode into a postcard perfect town, Apremont-sur-Allier.  The village itself is pristine and beautiful, the chateau sits high above the town and the River Allier, but the gardens were stunning.  Rather than write, I'll just post some pictures.  You can access the slide show for Apremont-sur-Allier in the JAlbums to the right. If you are visiting this region of France between April and October, add the Parc Floral d'Apremont-sur-Allier to your itinerary!
The Chateau

Another view, town and River Allier below



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