Digoin

I just received a reply. I guess the trick was having a friend help me to compose an email in French!

Hey Chris -- I'm glad it worked out for you. I hope you have a great time.

On your way to Digoin, a somewhat underwhelming destination by the way (but that shouldn't concern you because you'll just be boarding a boat and going along a canal), you might want to stop by the little town of Paray le Monial, about 10 minutes from Digoin. It has an impressive Romanesque basilica dating from around the 1100s, a small church where a since-sainted nun in the 1600s had a vision of Christ with his sacred heart exposed (which contributed to the whole "sacred heart" cult [French term] with which most people are familiar), and another small church from the 20th century with beautiful mosaics honoring the priest who ministered to the nun.

It's an odd place. Reportedly, tens of thousands of pilgrims go there each summer -- the town sets up huge tents with dining and sleeping areas to accommodate them. I'm not particularly religious, so it all seems strange to me.

If you have time in Digoin, you might want to check out the revived old pottery manufacturer there https://www.remodelista.com/posts/manufacture-de-digoin-a-classic-loire-valley-pottery-revived/

I found out about it this year when we met someone who was one of the founders/owners of this new enterprise, but it wasn't open when we were there staying with a friend nearby.

And yes, there is not much to see in Digoin (I've only gone there because our friend has a child who lives there, and we've all gone bowling in the next town). But yes, Paray le Monial is worth a stop.

Hey Robert, I'm curious where you went bowling. There's "Bull'in Charolais" in Vitry-en-Charolais at lieu dit zac Barberèche near Digoin, but I'm unaware of another bowling alley in the area.

Yes, Bob, it was Bull'in. I might be the only American to have bowled there twice. And out bowled a 7 year old and an 8 year old.

For those who were so kind to provide responses and suggestions, we did get to enjoy a lovely 90 minute canal barge cruise out of Digoin yesterday afternoon. It was unseasonably warm, hot even, and inditions were perfect for us to enjoy the experience. I certainly recommend it.

Many thanks,

Chris