Gabarres on the Dordogne

The Dordogne river has long been used as a means of transport and communication.Old Bordeaux was built on the site of the ancient Gallo-Roman port and amphora, once used for wine have been uncovered in Bergerac.

The gabarres were the traditional flat-bottomed boats used on the Dordogne. on the Upper Dordogne the gabarres were used for transporting wood from the forests. The middle section of the river would transport oak,chestnut,cheese and wine and return with salt, wheat and salted fish from the Lower Dordogne.

Now they provide a wonderful way for tourists to view the Dordogne valley from the river.