Cruising with the Carters: Nancy to Pompey

11.5 kms, 2 lift bridges, 2 locks

Early this morning, before most self-respecting Frenchmen were up and about, I went for a walk, armed with a street map given to us at the Capitainerie yesterday (oh, so that’s why it costs €15/day).

Nancy’s historical centre is truly beautiful. And, unusually for French cities, it is clean. I was very impressed to see cleaners emptying rubbish bins and street cleaning vehicles sweeping the streets and washing the paving in the big squares - and I didn't see any dog poo.

I entered through the impressive Porte de St George

One of the ancient portals through the walls guarding the city

and headed for Stanilas Square, reputedly the most beautiful town square in all of France. Well, I don’t know if that is true, but it certainly is beautiful. I have the pics to prove it, but it is such a big square that a simple camera like mine cannot do it justice, so first of all here is a panorama pinched from the internet

The Hotel de Ville - City Hall

Opposite the Hotel de Ville is the Triumphal Arch leading to the Place de la Carriere

The beautiful arch, dedicated by Stanislas to his son-in-law King Louis XV

At the four corners of the square are magnificent gilded gates, those on the NE and NW corners also have sculptured foutains

Street lighting in the square

and against the buildings

Through the Triumphal Arch (also called Arch Here) you find the beautiful Place de la Carriere.

An avenue of trees leading to the Hotel de Gouvernment

Sculptures at the corners of the square

The Palace de Gouvernment

A plaque to General Frere who lead the Army of the resistance

A hemisphere colonade, repeated on the opposite side of the Palace de Gouvernment

This leads to the Old Town, dating from the 11^th Century.

General de Gaulle's speech attached to the back of the colonade

The Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine, street facade

The opposite side of the Ducal Palace

The Porte de la Craffe

Narrow street

A bronze plaque set into the street depicting the old historic town

On the way back to the boat I stopped at a patisserie and bought a baguette and 2 croissantes d’amandes (almond croissants) which are not much like bog-standard croissants at all, which I am not keen on, too greasy, all air and no substance. Croissante d’amandes are more “solid” and filled with an almond paste, just too delicious for words.

Just before 12.00 we set off for Pompey, 11.5 kms, 2 lift bridges and 2 blocks away. We made it through the first bridge (note: the lift bridges here whiz up and down like elevators – so as not to keep the traffic waiting longer than necessary?) but at the second lift bridge there were 2 red lights showing, not the usual 1. Oh dear, the bridges close from 12.00 to 12.30 – should have checked the cruising guide beforehand! So we tied up to the waiting bollards and I prepared lunch: fresh baguette, Roquefort cheese and pate. Lovely, but probably not that healthy after the croissants d’amandes for breakfast!