lovely Place du Coche d'eau by angiebabe
The Tourist Information Centre 'Follow the Thread of History in Auxerre' walking map says that this place or square is one of the loveliest in the Marine area - its down near the river and where all the bargemen and assistances lived and worked.The passenger barge landing stage was just near here in front of Saint Nicolas Place, and transported travellers and goods from here to Paris several times a week.
This apparently also often included the young Napoleon Bonaparte on his way from Brienne to Paris and again years later during his attempt to return from exile.
I thought this spot was particularly scenic and photogenic with lovely timbered houses and a water well with colorful flowers all below the also picturesque Saint German Abbey.
The large house in the mid of the photo is a beautiful residence characteristic of old time river warehouses with the lower half, or ground floor, in stone for the storehouse and timber frame for the apartment levels.
