Читать книгу The River Rhone Cycle Route. From the Alps to the Mediterranean онлайн

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Shipping on the river

Since Roman times the lower Rhone has been the main trade and communication route between the Mediterranean and central France, although strong currents and flooding caused by ice-melt in spring and low water levels in summer made navigation difficult. In the medieval period freight was carried up-river in barge trains pulled by men and as many as 80 horses plodding along the towpath. Going downstream the barges were carried freely by the current. As the towpath was only used in one direction it is known in French as the chemin de contre-halage. Steam powered boats replaced horses in the early 19th century. These were driven by two paddlewheels with some having a huge claw-wheel that gave extra power by gripping the riverbed. After the Second World War, steamboats were replaced by diesel powered barges. Tourist cruise boats operate on the lower river between Port-St Louis-du-Rhône and Lyon. Kilometre posts beside the river show the distance downstream from the confluence of Rhone and Saone in Lyon.