We've mentioned éclusiers many times and they are all employed by VNF (Voies Navigables de France). On some canals or rivers the locks are permanently manned, such as the Grande Gabarit, commercial canals. Others we have a zapper, others have a pole dangling over the canal that you have to twist as you go by. Here on the Canal de Bourgogne we have lock keepers that drive ahead, normally on scooters and set the locks for our entry.
Zapper. Deliberately very chunky, hard to loose.
The éclusiers come in 1's, 2's, 3's or clutches to set the locks. They are generally great and good fun. There is the odd...... say no more.
These two were great, lovely characters.
The scooter transport, with a car visitor. Perhaps a 'très compliqué'
We sometimes have enthusiastic helpers! All good.
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