For the river parade of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Croisières Saumur Loire is competing with one of its traditional Loire boats, built in an ecological and inclusive way.
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Saumur Loire Cruises offers an ecological and inclusive barge for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics – © Saumur Loire Cruises
It is a boat like no other that is in the running to parade on the Seine. As part of the river parade for the Olympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024, the Saumur Saint-Nicolas Navigation Company (CSNSN), in partnership with students from the Catholic University of the West (UCO), plan to build a traditional Loire boat that is ecological and inclusive.
An ethical and responsible project
Currently in the selection phase, the “gabare 2.0” will be equipped with hybrid propulsion, in order to minimize its impact on the environment. This mechanism saves fuel, as well as reducing noise and maintenance.
« Ecology takes a big place in this project. Integrating a hybrid propulsion engine will make it possible to best respect the environment knowing that we are evolving in the Loire Valley which includes a lot of protected species. “, explains Pierre Rassemusse, Master LEA student at UCO.
The barge will be equipped with adapted toilets and a food stock, two spaces that are not usually found on this type of boat. For its inclusive side, the boat will also be equipped with an access ramp for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
« With this boat, we want to highlight local know-how while showing that we can respect sensitive navigation areas, in protected places. The Olympic Games have an international influence, it is a golden opportunity to show our regional specificities “, adds Peter.
Crowdfunding
An online kitty was set up for a period of sixty days, in order to raise funds to help build the barge. This crowdfunding of €10,000 will allow the installation of electric propulsion, but also PMR access.
Each donor will receive a reward ranging from the inscription of his name in the cockpit, to the privatization of a boat for an aperitif cruise of 1 hour 45 minutes for twenty people.
Hoping to be selected for the river parade of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the project leaders would also like to see their boat labeled “Green Award” and “Tourism and Handicap” to underline their commitment.
By Eline Vion.
