"upper Loire canal port" Roanne by pedroswift

Roanne Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 4 photos

Boats of all sizes winter in Roanne - Roanne

Mecca for Winterizing Boaties

The sea gypsies who choose to live aboard their own boats and travel the French waterways have problems during winter with the weather (too cold in most areas) and with restrictions on available waterways. Typically, maintenance of locks and facilities is done between November and April. Where does one spend the winter? Roanne is one such spot.
Roanne is an industrial city known for the manufacture of explosives. The canal system was vital for transport during earlier times. Today the port of Roanne sees little commercial traffic but every winter score of pleasure boats ranging from 10 metres to 34 metres in overall length moor there:some with the owners on board; some without.
Those staying on board join in the local community activities and form a club. At the start of spring and migration to other parts of France begins, the farewell party is followed by the tooting of fog horns each time a long-time-resident sails away. One can tell who they are quite easily. They have letter boxes rigged close to the edge of the quay to accept their inbound mail which is delivered by the Port Captain.

Mecca for Gourmands

Sell your kidney and eat at the Troisgros

Probably the major reason for touristic visitors to come to Roanne is to visit the Troisgros Restaurant and Hotel. This three starred Michelin restaurant has long had the reputation of being one of the best in France (if not THE best)! Not just the food : their wine list is world class too.

The owners have a bistro next door. The Central Cafe provides meals at a fraction of the price of TG. Thankfully we mortals can get a small idea of what the movers and shakers enjoy next door.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great Port (of the boating type)
Cons:nothing to report
In a nutshell:Foodies mecca - Troisgros

Last visit to Roanne: Apr 2008
Intro Updated Dec 29, 2012
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Reviews (3)

Dining Room Graphic - getting wine to town - Roanne

Close to Port Roanne Hotels (1)

During the course of a 2008 road trip/canal cruise we spent three nights in Roanne at the Campanile. We often choose to... more travel advice

Normally don't eat dessert - too good to miss!! - Roanne

Fine Dining Restaurants (2)

Hotel des Lys is a Logis de France listed establishment in the "high street" across the bridge in the centre of Roanne.... more travel advice

Affordable- troisgros Restaurants (2)

Next door to the three star Michelin rated Troisgros is a bistro, le Central, which allows we mere mortals to experience... more travel advice

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Comments (2)

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fabrice Feb 27, 2009 at 12:10 AM

Roanne does not seduce too much tourists , except food and wine
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Nemorino Aug 27, 2008 at 1:16 AM

I must admit I have never been to or even heard of Roanne, though on the map it doesn't look far from several places I have been. Sounds like a fine place to winterize and dine, in any case.