Melun to Paris

58 kms, 6 locks, 8 hours

Yesterday morning we left Melun at 6.45, bright and early for the long run to Paris.  It was early but it wasn’t bright, very cloudy and very warm at 19.5 degrees.  Sultry with not a breath of wind: the precursors of searing heat later. 

It has been hot for many days, sometimes with a thundery shower in the late afternoon but not enough to break the heat.

Between Melun and Corbieres-Essones there are many beautiful riverside homes.  On our way upstream 3 weeks ago most of them showed signs of life but on a Monday morning they were all closed up, confirming our suspicion that these are weekend/holiday homes for wealthy Parisians.

Corbeil-Essones

This looks like hard work, up to your knees in grain with a broom

A wrecked barge with a pilon sticking up through the hull - the victim of a flood?

The doubledecker Pont de Bercy

As we got closer to Paris we saw more and more industry and we were happy to arrive at the Arsenal marina at 14.45.  We had a short wait out on the busy Seine while 2 boats exited the lock into the marina.  Unfortunately we didn’t get a berth on the left hand side this time but at least we got out own finger pontoon and did not have to raft up to another boat as Lynn and Shaun have had to do.  Oh, the pleasure of having a small boat!

It was, indeed, blisteringly hot, about 31 degrees and not a breath of wind.  I did a laundry run but had no energy to go walkabout, what a waste in Paris, but we are here for another 2 days.