we must save these concrete barges, a unique river heritage in France

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They are unique in France… And yet, these barges from between the wars are silting up along the banks of the Martinière canal.

River heritage, these barges, made of reinforced concrete, are the vestiges of an era when the shortage of materials, such as steel, stimulated the construction of boat hulls, at the end of the First World War.

Save at least one

“These barges, or lighters, were used to unload cargo ships transporting cereals and coal from the Loire to Nantes…” explains André Doucet, of the Autreviens Le Pellerin association, which hopes, “since 1992”, to be able to save at least one of these barges which sailed until the 1950s.

The problem with small towns like Le Pellerin is that “we don’t have any money,” says Brigitte Dousset, deputy mayor, convinced that this heritage must be saved. “We don’t have money, but we have ideas and an active association! »

“It’s a change of castles!” »

Supported by Formerly Le Pellerin, the elected official appealed to the Heritage Foundation. “A representative from the Foundation came to the site in September to observe these two barges which they found very interesting. »

“It’s a change from castles to save, it’s original! », assures André Doucet. The Heritage Foundation has undertaken, as part of a public subscription, to finance work to safeguard barges on the Martinière Canal, up to the amount of donations collected from citizens.

Two solutions

But before launching this subscription, it is necessary to evaluate the cost of a barge crane and its restoration.

Two solutions: either we take the barge out of the canal and place it on cradles on dry land, or we lift the barge, we create a solid base of rubble, directly in the canal and we place the barge on it in a manner until she is out of the water…

But in both cases, it is necessary to find an architect and companies capable of estimating the cost of this unusual and impressive project. “A barge weighs more than 300 tonnes, measures 43 m long, 6.20 m wide and 3.50 m high. »

A bottle in the sea

The City throws a bottle into the sea, knowing that historians have in their possession all the plans for these extraordinary boats. “Professionals won't leave with just photos! » assures André Doucet.

For the elected official and the local historical society, these barges are “the soul of the canal. They have a heritage interest, but also a tourist interest. »

In the Heritage Lottery?

And “icing on the boat”, their safeguard could be selected to participate in the Heritage Lottery!

Architects, companies, contact Brigitte Dousset directly on 06 80 62 96 24 or at [email protected].

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