Lagny to Paris

32 kms, 5 locks, 1 tunnel, 5 hours 45 mins (including over an hour waiting for locks)

We set off 9.00.  A little chilly at 11^o, so out came the gloves, scarves and beanies, and it was overcast although we did see the sun from time to time during the day.  Before we got to the first lock 2 commercial barges pulled away from a quay as we approached.  Oh drat, these locks are small at 45m long, so not only would the 2 barges not fit in together, but we could not fit in with a commercial of 40m either.  So we tied up at the waiting pontoon and – waited.

Sorry about the quality!  2 barges pulling in front of us

The second one enters Neuilly lock

Nearly an hour later we exited the lock.

Oh dear, oh dear.  a pleasure cruiser being towed by a tug.  That must be expensive!

We were now into the outskirts of Paris, the affluent outskirts of Paris.

The Marne river, an island to the right with grand houses hidden in the foliage

A quick glimpse

There is a short tunnel and immediately after that a tight right hand turn to St Maur lock, where we had to wait once again for a barge coming in the opposite direction (upstream), and as it exited another commercial steamed out of the tunnel and straight into the lock in front of us.  

St Maurice lock

Fortunately this lock was much bigger and we could both fit in together but it had corrugated sides, with deep corrugations that swallow fenders.  Out came Big Black Bertha, which we can lash horizontally alongside the hull up forward, and the big white globe fender which I hold at the stern and move as the boat surges backwards and forwards. One more lock, St Maurice, another biggy at 125m long, and we were out of the Marne River and into the Seine. 

The Jossephine Baker swimming pool, which floats

Pont de Bercy

Pont d'Austerlitz

Notre Dame Cathedral, minus spire and roof, 2 large cranes already on site

At 14.45 we arrived at the Arsenal Marina in the heart of Paris.  I went for a walk to check the opening times of the Victor Hugo Museum in the Place de Vosges, just to find it is closed for a year for renovation. And I got caught in a downpour on the way home!