The second life of lock houses
Once used as lodgings, lock houses are now being refurbished, and some have become waterfront restaurants. Here's a closer look at these charming establishments, which are attracting increasing numbers of tourists.
By bike, car or even boat, there's no better way to get to the lock houses. Scattered throughout the region, these buildings were originally designed and built to serve as lodgings for lock-keepers, but were gradually abandoned as the trade almost completely disappeared. Over the past few years, however, these living spaces have once again been put to good use, transformed into shops, craft workshops, art galleries and restaurants. "We count around thirty lock houses that have been converted into restaurants or snack bars. The vast majority are in the South-West sector", explains the public body responsible for managing France's navigable waterways.
An idyllic setting
Such is the case of Comptoir Nature, located in the hamlet of Le Somail along the Canal du Midi. "Theestablishment has existed for twenty-four years thanks to my husband's uncle, and we are four partners who took over the restaurant five years ago", explains Philis Ok. The cuisine here has a Mediterranean flavour and is organic, local and homemade. But what really makes the difference is the setting. "The site is magnificent! We're in the heart of a historic hamlet, and our terrace is on the water's edge, with a stone bridge in the background that gives the place its charm. It's green and sometimes the geese come to put on a show," she laughs.
Bruno Celhay, owner of L'Écluse 52, a traditional restaurant open all year round in Castets-en-Dorthe, agrees. "I'm in love with the Garonne and this setting, between the port and the cycle path. We have around twenty employees and everyone loves this place, cut off from the world, far from cars... Some of them have been with us for over eight years, that's how much they like it here", he enthuses.
While these unusual "offices" are obviously pleasant, the premises are just as popular with the customers who have been flocking to L'Écluse 52 for over ten years. "In 2013, we opened with around 60 covers. Today,we're doing 200, thanks to tourists and locals alike", assures Bruno Celhay.
Safeguarding heritage
Setting up a restaurant in the heart of a lock-keeper's house also brings that extra touch of soul, which is sometimes hard to find in more modern businesses. "In the past, the building also housed the horses that pulled the boats along the towpath. We still have the wooden troughs inside the restaurant", describes Philis Ok. In addition to a restaurant open from April to October, the partners in Comptoir Nature have set up a bar, an ice cream parlour and an electric boat rental service. It's the perfect way to soak up the sun from morning to night and get the full experience!
However, L'Écluse 52 and Le Comptoir Nature have lost their primary function as accommodation. "It's too small for us," says Philis Ok, who points out that ten years ago, the establishment had a simple chambre d'hôte. What's more, the owners of these establishments are rarely proprietors, as most lock houses belong to the départements or régions, which regularly launch calls for projects to revive these waterfront buildings and transform them into genuine tourist attractions. Individuals, companies, associations and local authorities are all called upon to take action to maintain and safeguard this rich heritage along France's canals, and thus promote "soft tourism", with unusual accommodation, catering and numerous leisure activities. The public river domain regularly updates its occupancy opportunities on its website.
