Works of art to see Rhônes-Alpes

The Canal Canal in Digoin, a long 55 km long (37 m distance - 10 locks), was built from 1832 to 1838 with the aim of complementing the little navigable course of the Loire. Thus it allowed to develop relations with the North and East of France - expedition of tile, wire and fabrics of Roanne and Charlieu, mineral waters of Saint-Galmier, Vichy or Sail-sous-Couzan…, imported coal from the North, Rouen cotton, ores, Sablons de Nemours for glass plants… - while contributing to the glass. economic growth in the region with the establishment of many plants along its banks (brick, mills, arsenal…). Expanded to the Freycinet template in 1905, it saw at its peak (1938) 3 217 boats carrying 459 304 tonnes of cargo. Before the motorisation, the boats were hâlés by men and horses (or mule) at 12 km a day. However, the appearance of rail and the development of the road network had gradually been due to him and the canal was completely abandoned for freight transport in the s. On the other hand, it has been very successful because it is now very much appreciated for recreational boating. It is connected to the Centre Canal and the side canal to the Loire.

Built in 1571 under the reign of Charles IX, the mill d'Arche is a magnificent dauphinoise building in nature, surrounded by the river and its tributary. It is now under restoration. A walk along the river will take you to the ruins of a 1570 walnut press to the mouth of the Chogne in the Rhône. It is a gourmet place where you can find exceptional breads in one of the best bakeries in the region.

It is a tunnel closely monitored since the 1999 disaster - reassuring, therefore - and long 11,6 kilometres, between Chamonix and Courmayeur. Only the width of the tube, which could not be changed, still seems too narrow for the eternal claustrophobes. But for all the rest, what improvements: better lighting and overhaul of the ventilation system, a 100-metre drive, a mid-term rescue station, a combination of French and Italian control rooms and, above all, the construction of an independent evacuation gallery under the road. More fun, the tail of vehicles at the counter: you will have the impression of taking the start of a ski competition, with front of you the small barrier that displays on screen the time allotted before your departure. 10, 9, 8, 7… When it rises, you can start up to the limit speed of 70 km/h and with a spacing of 150 metres between each vehicle, which now seems very well respected. The reason? The multiplication of surveillance cameras, such as tickets.