France · Belgium · Netherlands · 2023
Paris to Coevorden
— and south again.
Cities, tunnels, commercial waterways — and open water.
Our longest season began at Moret-sur-Loing and Paris, then carried us north through Belgium and the Netherlands to Coevorden. The return brought an IJsselmeer crossing, time in Amsterdam and the journey south through Belgium.
View the recorded route
Reconstructed from our cruising record · schematic waterway circuit, not GPS
Moret-sur-Loing · After winter
A lovely place to winter.
Moret-sur-Loing had been peaceful and intimate, with space for only five barges. Now we were heading back towards Paris.
One of those wonderfully peaceful stops that make travelling slowly worthwhile.
Paris · 6–10 May
The gateway north.
We knew the Arsenal well by now, but this time Paris was not the destination. It was where the next adventure really began.
Paris · 13–20 May
Friends aboard. Then north.
Dave and Valerie joined us aboard in Paris. A week later, Kaz was ready to get moving again.
North from Paris · 27 May
Into the tunnels. Between the walls.
The route north took Maria underground and through deep locks. From the deck of a 25-metre barge, the length of a tunnel and the height of the walls become very tangible.
Commercial waterways · 2 June
The neighbours grew larger.
Maria shared the commercial routes with working ships that made a 25-metre barge suddenly look quite modest.
“Out with the big boys.”
The Netherlands · 3–17 June
Rotterdam ahead.
Arriving by water changes the way a city appears. The approach to Rotterdam unfolded beyond Maria’s deck; ashore, there was a different kind of traffic.
Coevorden · July
Out of her element.
Coevorden was not simply another destination. Maria came out of the water for inspection and certification work, hull maintenance and blacking — preparing a 1931 vessel for the seasons ahead.
Back afloat · 12 July
Out on the IJsselmeer.
The IJsselmeer was a complete shock. Spray broke across Maria’s foredeck, but she handled it brilliantly.
Amsterdam · 18–19 July
A new crew member.
A few days later Harry arrived in Amsterdam to join Maria. It did not take long for Harry and Oscar to settle into life on deck.
South again · Belgium · October
The season continues.
The return carried us through Maastricht, Liège, Namur, Mons, Compiègne and L’Isle-Adam. At the Strépy-Thieu boat lift on the Canal du Centre, a vertical difference of 73.15 metres became part of the route. We reached Moret-sur-Loing in November, after 379¼ cruising hours and 158 locks.
