Cité des bateliers, Maritime heritage museum in Longueil-Annel, France.
The Cité des Bateliers is a museum along the Oise lateral canal in the Picardy region, dedicated to river navigation and featuring boats, equipment, and cargo from the past. The site includes an original red brick building and a restored freight barge from 1936 that visitors can board.
The museum emerged following the construction of the lateral canal between 1826 and 1831, which transformed river trade and the regional economy. It records how this waterway opened new shipping routes and created a thriving community of bargemen.
Former boatmen share their stories through recorded voices, showing how river work shaped the lives and identity of people in this region. These personal accounts reveal what it meant to work on the water for a living.
The best time to visit is between April and October when the museum is regularly open and offers guided tours and boat trips on the canal. Plan extra time to board the restored barge and explore the waterside setting at a relaxed pace.
A standout feature is the walkable red brick house that once served as both home and shop for bargemen families, showing how living and working life were tightly connected. This building offers a rare glimpse into daily life for a family whose livelihood depended on river trade.
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