Saïga: 76 Years of Transformation on the Water
1950 – The Early Years as Rojajo
The story of the Saïga barge began long before she carried that name. Under the name “Rojajo”, the vessel first appeared in the newspaper La Vie Batelière in 1950. The article reported that Father Beschuyt, parish priest of Mortagne, blessed the boat, which at the time belonged to Rodolphe Demanet, upon her launch from the Mory shipyard.
Like many Freycinet-type barges, Rojajo was built to transport goods along France’s inland waterways. Coal, timber and construction materials were among the many cargoes she carried, playing an active role in the river transport economy for decades.
With a carrying capacity of up to 250 tonnes of freight — equivalent to around ten articulated lorries — the vessel represented an efficient and environmentally friendly means of transport. A single 280-horsepower Volvo engine was sufficient to move this impressive load capacity.
A Few Years Later – Acquired by “Doudou the Bargeman”
The vessel was later purchased by the man many knew as “Doudou the Bargeman”. He would operate the barge throughout his professional career, until 2013. For more than thirty years, the boat travelled along France’s inland waterways, carrying a wide variety of cargoes from one port to another according to the demands of each freight contract.
Depending on the period and operational needs, Doudou was joined on board by his sister or his mother-in-law. Together, they shared the daily life of traditional bargemen. This family-based way of working reflected the spirit of solidarity and the passing down of knowledge that once characterised the inland waterway transport community.
It was Doudou’s wife who later chose the name Saïga, in tribute to the saiga antelope, an iconic species of the arid steppes of Central Asia, renowned for its remarkable ability to adapt and survive in harsh environments.
2013–2017: A Travelling Theatre Barge
After the end of her commercial transport career, Saïga embarked on a second life that was as unexpected as it was original. Between 2013 and 2017, the barge was converted into a public venue in order to host the travelling theatre project “Mobile Homme”.
Moored successively in Beaucaire, Aigues-Mortes and Saint-Gilles, in the south of France, she became a unique place for creativity, cultural exchange and social interaction.
For several years, Saïga hosted theatre performances, artistic events, workshops and a variety of public activities. This new chapter once again demonstrated the barge’s remarkable ability to adapt, finding in culture a new purpose and a new way to bring her spaces to life.
2017 – A New and Unconventional Life
In 2017, Saïga underwent yet another transformation, moving even further away from her original purpose. The vessel became a unique multifunctional venue designed to host events, performances, workshops and a variety of immersive experiences. The aim was to create a space that encouraged social interaction, shared experiences and a break from everyday life in an unusual waterside setting.
Thanks to her generous interior volumes and distinctive layout, the barge offered a wide range of possibilities. Artists, associations, companies and private individuals were able to develop diverse projects on board, ranging from cultural events to participatory workshops.
One of Saïga’s most remarkable features is her 5-metre-deep diving shaft — or rather 5 metres high, as it is built directly into the structure of the vessel itself.
This rare and unusual feature opens the door to a wide range of creative possibilities and gives the barge a truly unique character. A genuine technical curiosity, it perfectly illustrates Saïga’s ability to reinvent herself and accommodate ever more original projects.
2023 – New Projects on the Horizon
In 2023, several new ideas emerged around Saïga, including the concept of a floating piano bar. Although the project never came to fruition and remains on the drawing board, it highlights the creative potential of this truly unique barge.
With a rich and distinctive history behind her, Saïga has successfully evolved through the decades, taking on several different roles while preserving her identity and character.
Today, Saïga is ready to begin a new chapter in her story. Now available for sale, this unusual barge offers her future owner the opportunity to continue this remarkable adventure and bring new projects to life on board.
Would you like to learn more? Discover her full listing by clicking here!