Péniche (barge)

A péniche barge, or spitz barge is a type of river barge, visually similar to a Thames barge, but built to different specifications.

Péniche barges were built to fit the post-1880s French waterways, which meant that the barges could be no longer than 125 feet (38 m), and as a result of the wish to maximise space for freight, the barges tend to be flat-sided, with short, rounded bows and sterns.^[1] The dimensions were influenced by the Freycinet gauge. Many have been converted into pleasure craft.

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