• Shipping, a secure mode of transport
For several centuries, right up until the industrial era, river transport was considered to be the most secure mode compared with overland routes. All kinds of goods were conveyed, as testified by the numerous Italic amphorae found in the Saône. Besides wine and foodstuffs, construction materials are also present in large amounts.
The various vessels – oyster boats, fishing boats, well-boats – were characterised by a flat bottom, which was ideally suited to the shallow riverbed. In order to move the boats, sails, poles or oars were used. The towpath system was in place for pulling the vessel along from the bank. Employed since Antiquity, the system was operated by people, and then by animals from medieval times onwards.
• From towpath to steamboats : early developments
Depending on the state of the riverbanks, towing faced many potential hindrances : trees, rubble and intersecting streams presented many an obstacle for horses and their carriage-drivers. In 1669, a royal decree installed an easement on the towpath into the Kingdom over a width of about 8 metres. Nevertheless, throughout the 18th century, water diligence companies were involved in numerous accidents. In 1763, Intendant Claude Cachet de Garnerans of the Dombes region put the case to the shipping minister for setting up a quay and a towpath at Trévoux. Works subsequently began, but were not completed until 1810. While towing enjoyed its heyday throughout this period, it was very soon supplanted in the mid-19th century by the arrival of steam and the first paddle boats on the Saône. Developments then began focusing on the riverbed : dikes and dredging, aimed at making the river navigable all year round.
• The transformation of the towpath
Le Parisien was one of the few steamboats to stand up to competition from the railway, which became the favoured mode of transport everywhere. The first railway line opened at Trévoux in 1882 and joined the PLM (Paris-Lyons- Marseilles) line at Lyons. In 1897, a second line, the Tramways de l’Ain, connected the municipality of Trévoux first to Jassans and then to Saint-Trivier-de-Courtes. It was laid down on the verge of the towpath. From 1936, since towing was now practically outdated and Tramways de I’Ain had closed the line, the former towpath – now a departmental road – was entirely given over to automobile traffic.
In the early 21st century, new soft mobility issues have led to a renewed transformation of the towpath. In 2022, the new corbelled construction over the Saône incorporates the towpath into the “Voie Bleue Moselle Saône à vélo” cycle tourism itinerary, while keeping the road traffic in place.
“Behind you” :
• Trévoux church was built in 1904, replacing the former collegiate church that was now too small. Constructed on the slope, its south face is much more impressively high than its principal façade, which overlooks the terrace. Neo-Byzantine in style, its distinctive feature is its lack of a bell tower.
Profile view of “Le Parisien” with its paddle wheel
Le Parisien belonged to the family of steamboats that transported passengers and goods on the Saône from Lyons to Chalon. The journey took about 10 hours downstream and 11 hours upstream. For a long time, its silhouette enhanced by the black smoke coming out of its funnel was a memorable sight on the twelve stages it served. On its longer version, Le Parisien 2, 400 passengers were able to embark, distributed between a single room for 2nd class and a lounge-dining room for 1st class.
In service from 1850 to 1923
The 19 municipalities in the Dombes Saône Vallée bear the Land of Art and History mark. The Ministry of Culture awards this label to local councils that commit to actively valorising heritage and outstanding architecture
