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Hotel barge cruises have become hugely popular among holidaymakers seeking a relaxing yet stimulating break. Many of these holidays take place over western Europe, where a huge network of canals was built during the Industrial Revolution. For many barge cruise enthusiasts visiting France, seeing one or more of the country’s large number of magnificent aqueducts is a high point of their trip. Here we discuss the value that these structures present to many holidaymakers. Historical Attractions Aqueducts have a long and fascinating history. Many travellers to France will come across the ancient French aqueducts built when the country was part of the Roman Empire. These aqueducts formed a vital part of the Romans’ wide-reaching plumbing system, bringing fresh water to wherever it was needed in their Empire. Possibly the most famous of the French aqueducts is the 160 foot high Pont du Gard in southern France, built when the region (then known as Gaul) was under Roman occupation. Aqueducts such as this one, however, are non-navigable. That is, they cannot be crossed by barge. The rise of the navigable aqueduct was spurred by the Industrial Revolution: as industry was mechanised, France (among other countries) was in need of a comprehensive, efficient transport method. In the absence of the freight technologies to which we now have access (readily available freight trains, lorries, etc.), transporting goods by barge was an excellent solution: the weight of the load is borne by the water, along which it can move with little friction and without needing to deal with bumps or uphill gradients, requiring a modest amount of power (then provided by a donkey or mule, now by an engine) to move at a steady pace. Naturally, these barges required waterways along which to move. An enormous effort was made to build navigable canals along all trade routes. Wherever one of these canals crossed a river, it was generally better to build a bridge over the river than have to cross through it (passing over the river reduced water traffic and dodged poor weather conditions on the river), and wherever a canal passed through a valley or a ravine it was more convenient to build a bridge over the pass than it was to make use of a large number of locks. Thus, navigable French aqueducts rose to a position of huge economic importance. The Aqueducts Today That’s not to say that French aqueducts are beloved only out of historical interest. They remain striking architectural specimens, and as such architecture enthusiasts everywhere have taken a shine to them. Even those without a specific interest in architecture can appreciate the grandeur of these bridges, and they’ve graced many a photography album. In addition to this, the experience of passing over one is something in and of itself. There’s something pleasantly surreal about gliding gently on a canal held by a bridge, with a sheer drop on either side ending in countryside or a river. Moreover, the views from these barges can be truly spectacular, making the crossing of French aqueducts a simultaneously jaw-dropping and relaxing experience. Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury barge holidays taking clients through the stunning French aqueducts and surrounding countryside. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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