The Barge Family

The Vermeulen family—Dutch father, Algerian mother, three children born on water—live year-round on their converted barge, traveling French waterways.

Peter Vermeulen: "I grew up on Amsterdam canals. Zahra came from the Sahara. We met in Marseille, fell in love over mint tea and maritime stories. Our compromise? Live on water in France.

"We bought this 1920s péniche as newlyweds. Rusty, leaking, but beautiful bones. Restored it ourselves, learning from old-timers and YouTube equally. Now it's home—solar panels, composting toilet, rainwater collection. Sustainable before it was trendy."

Zahra Vermeulen: "People assume I miss the desert. But the Sahara is like an ocean of sand—vast, flowing, dangerous if you don't respect it. Rivers are contained deserts, manageable infinity. Plus, no sandstorms in the galley.

"Raising children on water teaches different values. They learn balance literally—walking on moving deck. They see France from behind, the parts invisible from roads. They know locks and bridges like city kids know streets."

Eldest daughter Mira, 17: "Try explaining to university applications that your address changes monthly. 'Somewhere on the Canal du Midi' doesn't fit their forms. But I've had education no school provides. I speak four languages from lock-keeper conversations. I can navigate by stars, fix diesel engines, cook in storms.

"Dating is complicated. Boys either think boat life is impossibly romantic or run when they realize there's no shower privacy. Whatever. Rivers taught me patience."

Middle child Youssef, 14: "Best part? Swimming off the boat in summer. Worst? Internet depends on location. I'm the only kid who does homework by candlelight when solar batteries die. Teachers think I'm joking.

"We're not rich but we're free. My classmates' families pay thousands in rent. We pay diesel and lock fees. They have yards; we have all of France. Fair trade."

Youngest Adam, 11: "The boat rocks me to sleep. In hotels, I can't sleep—too still. Mom says I have river blood now. When I grow up, I'll captain container ships. Or maybe submarine. Definitely something floating."

Peter again: "This lifestyle is ending. Fewer working boats, more regulations, climate change affecting water levels. But for now, we flow. Teaching our children that home isn't a place but a way of being. Water doesn't care about your origin. Neither should people."