The Halle aux Blés (corn exchange building) is located along Canal Quay. It is in fact the former stables of the Rohan Castle, and it was built at the end of the 18th century (1763-67). During those past years it was lodging an elementary school, the french boy and girl scouts, a gymnastic room... Since the departure of the school in the Castle, the buildings were placed at the disposal of the Municipal Music school, and the inside court was converted into a parking. For the canal to pass through the Vosges mountains, several locks have been built. One of them is located in the centre of Saverne. From the lock, here's the view on the tail bay: on the left, Canal Quay, and on the right, the north wing of the Rohan Castle. Notice the hand lever wheel in the foreground. It was used to open and close the tail gate of the lock, with a certain amount of elbow grease. The lock is now motorized and full automatic. The view hereunder is taken from the lock side. In the middle, on the other side, there is the little white house of the lock keeper. It isn't permanently occupied today, because the lock has been automated. On the left stands the house of the editor A.Fuchs, printer, bookseller and paper retailer, who edited some of the present postcards. The great building over the old town wall (tower) belongs to the old Recollets Monastery. Previous page Next page [Back to start] [The middle city] [Railway Station and Post Office] [River Zorn] © Thierry Heitmann - 1997-2001