Roanne, Chateau de la Roche, Marcigny, France

Chateau de la Roche

We have driven to Roanne before, but this was our first time cruising there on Rabelo.  We didn't have enough time there to properly explore the city.  We will definitely return for another visit.  There were permanent residents that we would enjoy spending more time getting to know.  The Port Captain had a little side business selling wine.  His messy, crowded, tiny office filled with boxes, books, and a bicycle was too warm for properly storing wine.  We took a chance and bought a couple of his Rose's at 6 euro a bottle.  We liked it well enough to return for a few more bottles.  It was fine for drinking at lunch, outside on the deck, seated under the umbrella, on a hot day.  That is exactly what we did.  

Normally we pick up our guests at a train station near where we are moored.  With the train strikes going on all summer we recommended that people rent a car and drive to us.  This time it turned out to be a challenge.  Eventually Tom found Jerry and Arlene so they could follow him back to the boat in Roanne.  This was their 6th visit in 5 years.  We had a slower paced trip this time.  With the weather as hot as it was, running around trying to see new sights was challenging.

Welcoming Jerry and Arlene with a few appetizers and champagne.

It's a treat having lunch on deck while cruising.  We had magnificent blue skies with a few fluffy clouds, surrounded by lush green foliage.

Enjoying lunch on deck drinking Rose wine (except for Tom who doesn't drink and drive).

Lunch of cold cucumber soup, smoked salmon on baguettes, melon and a nice chilled rose from the port captain.

The earliest written records of the Chateau de la Roche date from 1260.  It was built on a rocky platform overlooking the Loire river from a height of 30 meters.  The fortress allowed a watch to be kept and tolls to be collected for the County of Forez.  The building suffered floods from the Loire more often than attacks from enemies.  In 1996 it was fully restored.  Unfortunately it has been affected by floodwater in 2003 and 2008.

Chateau de la Roche in the background

Chateau de la Roche from another direction.

It's always a treat when we can walk along a canal.

This canal had a current of 1.5 mph.  When we were trying to go against the current it was challenging when we were traveling at a speed of 4-5 knots.

We found this charming slug on one of our walks.

The lock was on one side of the tow path and the river on the other side.

There was an old bridge crossing the canal on one of our morning walks.

We entered a very deep lock.

Another meal on deck

Fig and tomato salad

Duck with balsamic sauce and sweet potatoes 

We drove to Ville de Marcigny to view the Abbaye de Charlieu built in 1769.

These are the remains of the fortifications that joined the Abbaye.

It's hard to believe Rabelo fits into this lock.  Well, we barely fit.

The Little Dutch Boy doesn't have enough fingers to plug all the leaks in this lock.

The view exiting a lock

Jerry, Arlene and Tom enjoying the sights as we cruised along the Canal Roanne a Digoin.

And then it was time to say au revoir to Jerry and Arlene...until the next time.