They are those who flow happy days to Montlucon (Allier). Even years. At the age of 98 and 90, it’s been exactly thirty years since René and Denise Grangier lived somewhat against the grain of the rest of the population, rue Paul-Constans on the Left Bank, near the Châtelet bridge, in one of those residences which literally lick the Cher river… More precisely in this imposing white building, a sort of small manor house, with its balcony similar to the stern of a boat overlooking the waves. And to think that the lovebirds will have taken a long time before taking the plunge …
Denise and René Grangier: the romantics
“We first lived on Boulevard de Courtais, where we ran the Photorama store that we then left to our son,” says Denise. “But already younger I had noticed this beautiful house walking past it, never thinking of living there one day, ”she says. “There were often parties, people were dancing along the Cher, that made you dream ”.
A dream that came true in 1991. “Going back one day, with my husband, we saw that it was for sale … and the next day we bought it”, relates the nonagenarian. “We fell in love with it”. And the glance, obviously, for the panorama offered by the terrace, like a small stone lookout.
“You can see in the distance, there is no house that spoils the view nearby, the area is peaceful, quiet, romantic. For us, it’s the dream, we never tire of it! “
Denise and René Grangier (90 years old and 98 years old)
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How could it be otherwise. “From the balcony we are really above the water, you will not find a house closer to the Cher than ours”, continues Denise. ” There are very charming here, it is very pleasant to live, sometimes you can see nutria in the garden ”. Enough to make thirty million friends. “It’s almost a vacation home », Concludes the couple.
Mérinchal (Creuse), source of the Cher since 1960
Valdemar De Castro Carvalho : le malin pêcheur
And they’re not the only ones to think so. You just have to see their neighbor next door fishing … directly from his little piece of land. The feet in the water, literally. ” I have a little personal access to the river directly from my garden, ”he shows us. “I just have to go down and take out my cane which is in the cellar right next to the water “. No effort, but a lot of comfort.
“I don’t fish often, a few times a year for ten minutes, to be calm and rest. It’s very nice. “
Valdemar
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“We have been there since April 2020, before we were at La Verrerie so it is certain that it is nicer now », Continues the one who lives here with his wife and their daughter. “Having the Cher in your garden, seeing the water and the trees when you get home, we like it”, he confides. “We are really happy, we hope to stay a long time ».
The reservoir of the Rochebut dam, on the Cher, near Montluçon (Allier) is a popular spot for fishermen [21/07/2021]
The Perspectives association … and wild ducks
They wish to stay there, when others will soon be leaving. But for good reasons. “We are simply looking for a larger room,” explains Jean-Michel Jupille, president of the local branch of the Perspectives association. Their “Evangelical Protestant Church” adjoins the building where Valdemar resides. You know, it’s this beige plaster facade on which appears an old woman inscription “Restaurant”, on an orange background, a little faded but still visible from the right bank.
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“It’s because it used to be an Asian restaurant and maybe it will be again after we leave. “
Jean-Michel Jupille (association Perspectives)
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“In any case, we are not leaving because we are badly here. On the contrary, the view is not unpleasant, ”he assures us. “We often see ducks … who laugh about us when we sing, ”laughs Annette Tobler, one of the faithful.
La Pergola tobacco bar: work AND health
“Ah yes, there is a whole family, we can watch the ducklings grow », Agrees Michel Fernandes, owner of the bar-tabac La Pergola, at the foot of the Châtelet bridge. He took over this business with his wife and their children last January. ” And we do not regret at all! We chose it for the location. We are there from morning to night, so as much as we are there and it is the case, ”he says.
“It’s a privileged setting, a great place to work, you really have the impression of being somewhere else. “
Michel Fernandes (from the bar-Tabac La Pergola)
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In short, if the grass is sometimes greener elsewhere, the Cher does not seem to be able to be much bluer or more beautiful than in these places …
At the Moulin de Chauvière, in Lavault-Sainte-Anne (Allier): paddle, beach and promenade [28/07/2021]
Text: Luc Barre
Photos: Florian Salesse
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