Thursday 26 March 2020

Walking from Descartes


On Monday 9 March our walking group set out from the camping ground carpark in Descartes and walked down one side of the River Creuse, then back up the other, past the weir and the paper mill. The river was in spate and there was plenty of historic industrial history to be had. Here are some pictures of the outing.

One of several lovely cast iron park benches in the public garden. 
I'm sure these must have been custom made for Descartes, presumably in the 19th century.
19C cast iron park bench, Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

The rushing water has brought a log jam of debris stuck at the bridge.
Log jam of debris by the bridge at Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

 The weir on the Creuse at the paper mill at Descartes.
Weir on the Creuse at the papermill, Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Walking along the left bank of the Creuse.
Walking along the banks of the Creuse, Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.
Photo courtesy of Alison Juestel.
There are at least six species of moss on this rock we passed.
Mossy rock.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Descartes papermill.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Mystery tower opposite the paper mill. No one seems to know anything about this tower, but it looks like a 19th century lantern to me, maybe a navigation aid relating to the weir.
Tower on the Creuse River opposite the weir and paper mill, Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Ash Fraxinus exelsior (Fr. Frêne) coming into flower.
Ash coming into leaf. March.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Flood markers on the bridge over the Creuse.
Flood markers on the bridge over the Creuse River at Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

Alison, Dominique, Laura, Karen, Anne-Marie, Aline, Pierre and Fabrice contemplate the rushing water at the fish ladder and weir.
Walkers contemplating the fish ladder on the Creuse River at Descartes.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.
Photograph courtesy of David Henderson.


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4 comments:

chm said...

Could this tower be a lanterne des morts, kind of monument frequently seen in your region?

Susan said...

I'd be surprised if it was. It appears to be 19C, certainly not medieval. It's right on the river bank, level with the weir. No cemetery that I'm aware of anywhere near. The building behind it is a modern factory.

Jean said...

I have photographed that bench many times in the past. The park in Descartes is an absolute gem. We visit it regularly and more often than not we are the only ones there.

Susan said...

It is a particularly nicely landscaped park, isn't it?!

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