With a population of 17,000, Montceau-les-Mines is the largest city we’ve seen since leaving Chalon-sur-Saône (which has a population of 45,000). I’m not sure anything between the two could technically be called a city.
Montceau-les-Mines reminds me of Amsterdam. The Canal du Centre passes through the heart of the city and has a number of low bridges – too low for most boats to pass underneath.
A bridgekeeper (I think that must be the word.) keeps an eye out (or on a TV monitor) and raises the bridges as boats approach. Alarms ring and gates lower as cars, busses, and pedestrians come to a stop. Makes a boater feel special.
A giant smokestack dominates the landscape in Montceau-les-Mines. The China Syndrome. Three Mile Island. Chernobyl. Are we moored close to a potential meltdown? Nope. First, the power plant is coal fired – not nuclear. Second, it was decommissioned years ago. Now I can go back to enjoying a lovely city.
And it is an easy city to enjoy.
As we entered Montceau-les-Mines, we passed a giant Leclerc supermarket. A very welcoming supermarket. A sign on the side of the store facing the canal said there was a mooring spot 200 metres ahead.
We were in a rush to get a mooring spot in the Port de Plaisance. Most marinas don’t accept boats longer than 15 metres. Those that do have very few spots for boats as long as Aleau. We didn’t want to miss out. So we didn’t stop at Leclerc. But our friends, Ross and Sandra on Cleo, did when they passed by two years ago. That’s Sandra ready to push her shopping cart to the mooring – and there’s Cleo on the Leclerc pontoon. How convenient is that! Easier to get to your boat than to a car parked in the store’s lot.
As impressive as Leclerc’s mooring for barges is, its wine selection that sets it apart from other supermarkets.
As we left Montceau-les-Mines, we got to watch traffic stop as multiple bridges rose to let us pass. Cool.
We definitely want to go back and spend more time in this city. I’m sure there will be others we will add to the list as we make our way to Paris.