THE "TOUE"

 

IN BRIEF      During the last century, twelve to sixteen meters long flat boats with a voile whose sail could be seen on the river Loire.The farmer of the lower Loire could'nt work without the toues. They were used to transport passagers, cattle and to load and unload goods. But mainly "the toue" were essential to reach the pasture land on the isles. The toue has almost disappeared. Today, there are only three left..

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION : “ A forgotten Loire's boat ” I-LITTLE STORY II- THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOUES 1- The first dockyards of St Jean de Boiseau…Two examples 2- The traditional construction 3- Functioning and maintenance of Toues III- THE TOUES : THE FARMER'S RIGHT HAND MAN OF THE LOWER LOIRE 1- Loading and unloading operations 2- The function of transport a) Transport of passagers b) Transport of cattle c) Other transports 3- Its part in the agricultural work a) The hay, the reed and the bunch of reeds b) Square net fishing c) The sand extraction  4- The yearly work in the isles Calendar of works in the isles IV- THE DECLINE OF THE TOUE FOR LACK OF USE A SET OF PHOTOS DESIGN OF THE BOAT MAP CONCLUSION : “melancoly...” GLOSSARY BIBLIOGRAPHY