Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: Lock Houses and More, Burgundy, France

View from The Old Lock at Saint Jean de Losne during a walk

The history of the French canals is long and complicated. We spend a great deal of time on the Burgundy Canal so a little history is in order. In 1607 a tax was placed on the local farmers to help finance a section of the canal between Saint Jean de Losne and Dijon. Even so, it was a long time until construction started, with many events occuring in the interim. It wasn't until 1696 that a study came out considering 5 different routes that could be used to connect the Saone and Yonne Rivers. There were disagreements between civil engineers, mayors who wanted the canal as close to their town as possible for the economic importance that trade would bring, and land owners hoping to cash in. Construction didn't begin until 1775. From the beginning there were strikes and political decisions regarding the future of the canal. Even today there is debate as to the viability and use of the waterway. Part of the original importance was being able to connect the Rivers Saone and Yonne which then connected to the River Seine.

In order to complete the Burgundy Canal a tunnel needed to be built at the summit pond. The tunnel was 10,932 feet long with 90% of the work done by hand. It wasn't until December 28, 1832 that the first barge crossed the summit of the canal via the tunnel. Once completed the Burgundy Canal connected the north of France to the South. The River Seine via the River Yonne was now connected to the Rhone River via the Burgundy Canal and the Saone River. The Burgundy Canal was 150 miles long with 189 locks and almost as many lock-houses.

In order to keep the canal operating it was necessary to have lock-keepers. These people were housed along the canal at each lock. Many of the lock houses were built at the same time or just after the completion of the canal.

This is a small selection of what some lock-houses presently look like. Today few of these houses have lock-keepers in them. Instead people are able to rent these small homes.