France's only postman who delivers mail by boat

Charles Defoort is the only postman in mainland France to make his deliveries by boat.

The 24-year-old goes door-to-door in a small wooden motor boat in the Audomarois marshes, a wetland region around 45 minutes drive from Dunkirk in northern France.

"We have a map showing where each person lives. So we don't work with addresses, only names," said Defoort, who has been in the job for a year and delivers to some 50 inhabitants.

The marshes, renowned for their cauliflowers, are one of a small number of cultivated wetlands in France. Tourists flock to the UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve in the summer months, but winter can be bleak and the community isolated.

"In the winter there are no tourists, there's no-one, so we're happy to see the postman," said local resident Alexandra Dumoulin.

More from Quirky

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Business Breakfast

    6:00am - 10:00am

    The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.

  • The Agenda

    10:00am - 1:00pm

    Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!