Un Voyage en Gabarre



Bergerac owes its existence and prosperity to the Dordogne River, where from the 12th century it controlled the burgeoning wine trade from the Périgord hinterland to Bordeaux for further export. This wine was transported in barges called gabarres. Today I took a petit voyage in one of these flat bottomed gabarres for an excursion along the Dordogne. Away from Bergerac thick foliage adorned the river banks and we passed through a natural bird sanctuary of kites, herons and kingfishers along with swans and ducks. It was a very pleasant and relaxing diversion. On disembarking I took a stroll across the ancient bridge, which spans the Dordogne.

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