Saint-Simon, Village Gabarrier

On the agenda

Set off at your own pace to discover the gabarrier village of St-Simon.
To understand the history of the village of St-Simon, we invite you to visit La Maison des Gabarriers before starting the discovery tour. Located in the village square, this typical 18th- and 19th-century house, built of Charente limestone, presents the history, heritage and cultural heritage of inland waterway transport in the Cognac region.

The discovery tour starts in the village square (1), then heads towards Vibrac, where you can see a door and carpenter-calfat sign dating from 1602 (2), the cemetery (including its gate and a number of typical tombs) (3), Jean Brian’s sign (of a calfat at work) dating from the 12th century (4), the quays and dry docks (5), and the church of Saint-Sigismond (6). The visit continues on the Juac side, with the wall of the gabarriers (7), the gabarre mast (8), then the Juac lock (9).
From the path on the left bank (cross the bridge at Juac), you can enjoy a fine view of the village of Saint-Simon and the quays (10).

Your route is shown in yellow on the map which you can download below.
The duration of this route varies and depends on the individual. Allow between 45 minutes and 1? hours. The route is signposted, but not accompanied.

If the weather is fine and you feel like it, why not extend the pleasure with a gabarre trip on the Charente (duration: 1h30).