The Pontoise boathouse, an authentic reminder of a bygone era of holiday resorts along the banks of the River Oise, is about to undergo a renaissance. Selected in the latest edition of the Heritage Lotto, run by the Stéphane Bern Mission, the site is about to undergo a major renovation that will see it host an exhibition of vintage boats. Robert Dupaquier, deputy mayor in charge of urban planning and heritage protection and enhancement, explains the project.
Could you give us an overview of the history of the Pontoise boathouse?
The boathouse was located on a large plot of land, right in the center. It was not an outbuilding, but a building in its own right. It was built on the banks of the River Oise around 1900, in a district that was particularly river-oriented, with washboats and public baths. Numerous canoes and sailboats were moored along the banks of the Oise, which people used either to sail, fish or visit the island opposite, which housed a guinguette. Elegant buildings were erected in this area, serving as holiday resorts, which was typical of the period. At least three sheds in this particular style can be found in the area, and a boat rental business was located nearby. Almost all of this type of wooden construction, richly ornamented and embellished with mantling, has disappeared due to its fragility. The Pontoise hangar, though exposed to severe flooding on the Oise, miraculously survived. It was acquired by the city in 2003.
How does the city plan to finance the renovation work?
The building was awarded the "Patrimoine d'Intérêt Régional" (Heritage of Regional Interest) label this summer, which, in addition to the distinction, will mean financial support from the Île-de-France Region. Selected in September by the Mission Stéphane Bern "Loto du Patrimoine", it will also benefit from significant financial support from the Fondation du Patrimoine. All funds raised or pledged will be used to restore the hangar in its entirety: replacing the roof with an identical one, repairing structural elements, restoring the mantling and railing in line with period photos, installing electricity in a "vintage" format, and creating a solid brick floor.
Can you tell us how you plan to use the renovated hangar?
For the past twenty years, the town and the Cergy-Pontoise Urban Community have been committed to restoring the river's recreational and leisure character. A river stop has been created, and the tourist office has been set up nearby. A popular guinguette opened its doors a year ago. Cruises on the Oise are regularly organized, in particular the Impressionist route, including Pontoise, Auvers-sur-Oise and l'Isle-Adam. The towpath, dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, has been gradually restored over the years. The boathouse is set to become an emblem of this renewed tourist appeal, and will focus on the history of river boating and water-based leisure activities, as well as the stay of Impressionists, notably Camille Pissarro, in the area.
Could you tell us about the projects involving old boats currently being renovated by the Pontoise Patrimoine association?
The Pontoise Patrimoine association was set up two years ago, with the aim of promoting Pontoise's small-scale heritage. Since its creation, it has acquired several small wooden boats of great heritage value, all over fifty years old. The collection is quite diverse, including a motorboat, a sailing canoe, a sailboat and a very old perissoire, all sourced exclusively from former shipyards in the Île-de-France region. The association plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign in the autumn. Collaboration between the town's project and that of the association should lead to the boats being displayed in the hangar. We also hope to be able to re-establish a pontoon, enabling the boathouse to return to its original function.
Thanks to funding from the Île-de-France Region and the Fondation du Patrimoine, the Pontoise boathouse is about to be given a new lease of life on the banks of the River Oise. Once renovated, the building will host an exhibition of vintage boats currently undergoing restoration. These initiatives promise to revive interest in the local nautical heritage.
