9 July 2024

By Hélène Rémond,
text & photography

During the event “Un dimanche 1900” in France, boating buffs bring back the Belle Époque in vintage boats, writes Hélène Rémond.

On June 29th and 30th, boating enthusiasts from all over France gathered in Cenon-sur-Vienne, Vienne, in the largest region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which has the largest population of British expats. The first edition of the 1900 boating party created in 2011 has become a biennial event as part of “Un dimanche 1900” (“A 1900 Sunday”) organized by the Châtellerault conurbation to bring back the Belle Époque atmosphere of an open-air dance hall.

The Carré des canotiers organization, which is the network for the conservation and promotion of the history of boating and water leisure and sports, was the curator of the event.

The 2024 edition presented regattas as well as an elegance contest. About fifty vintage boats paraded to recreate the boating party of 1900. There were different types of watercraft: canoes, skiffs, river sailboats…

It’s a good opportunity to bring back to life the fact that people enjoyed relaxing by the riverside on sunny days, and boating was popular in the region at the beginning of the 20th century. Cenon-sur-Vienne was a famous port between the river Vienne and the river Clain.

Find more information here.

Here is a video from the event: