Cité des Bateliers
Inland waterways museum on the canal bank in Longueil-Annel: a bargemen’s house, a 1936 Péniche Freycinet and a sound trail to the locks.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée de la batellerie grew out of an exhibition on the life of bargemen, organized in 1992 by a former bargeman, Jacques Broutin, which was a great success. The following year, the Amicale du Musée de la Voie d’Eau association was founded to carry the museum project. The project was entrusted to the Communauté de communes des Deux Vallées (CC2V), which launched the studies; the museum was inaugurated on July 9, 2000.
Located in the heart of the village of Longueil-Annel, on the canal, it traces the development of river navigation in the Oise valley and the way of life of bargemen. The visit begins in the museum house, which explains inland waterway transport and its history. It continues on board the Péniche Freycinet, built in 1936, where visitors discover the wheelhouse, the cabin and the hold.
A thematic and sound walking trail then leads to the village locks. The site also hosts exhibitions, guided tours led by former bargemen of the village, family workshops and festive events. The community of communes also operates a hybrid cruise boat, L’Escapade, built in 2015.
Highlights
- 1936 Péniche Freycinet open to visitors
- House museum on the history of inland navigation on the Oise
- Thematic sound walking trail to the locks
- Guided tours by former bargemen of the village
- Oise cruises on the hybrid boat L’Escapade
Permanent exhibitions
- Maison-musée de la batellerie – Presentation of inland navigation on the Oise and of the life of bargemen.
- Péniche Freycinet de 1936 – Visit to an authentic barge: wheelhouse, cabin and hold, to understand the daily life of a bargeman.
- Circuit à pied sonore – Thematic sound trail to the village locks.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Communauté de communes des Deux Vallées (CC2V)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Students and job seekers |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 4 · €3 for children aged 5 to 12; free under 5. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree for people with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
Prices taken from a travel guide; the community of communes’ official page does not publish prices. Cruises on L’Escapade are booked separately.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Family workshops and themed activities throughout the year.
Getting there & parking
80 km from Paris and 6 km from Compiègne: take the A1 motorway to exit 10, then follow signs for Compiègne-Ouest and Saint-Quentin / Noyon.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours by former bargemen of the village; activities and exhibitions throughout the year. The site also offers cruises on the Oise aboard L’Escapade, departing from 45, avenue de la Canonnière (separate ticketing). |
