Wed, Aug 27, 2003 - Page 16 News List

A moveable feast: Living on a houseboat on the Seine

In the middle of one of the greatest cities of the world, down on the river, life has its own kind of pace and style

DPA , PARIS

Because he works for the Autonomous Port of Paris as a captain of a river-sea coaster, the Sourens pay a rent of only 200 euros (US$224) for the Isadora's mooring space. For non-mariners, the fees are higher -- but not by much.

Depending on the size of the boat and on where it is moored, rents vary from 200 to 762 euros (US$824) per month.

But first you need a boat. A barge the size of the Isadora that is outfitted for living sells for between 300,000 (US$324,712) and 800,000 (US$865,856) euros.

That may seem like a lot of money, but it is worth it, the Sourens say, especially if you want to travel without leaving your home.

"The best thing about our home is that it moves," Kerstin says. "If you have a pilot's license, you can take off tomorrow, sail along the canals and rivers until you find a beautiful spot."

"And if you get tired of that place, you can move on to another, and then another," Pierre says. "France is very big."

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