Brittany
Discover the unknown part of Brittany with its mystic landscape, picturesque towns, and its very peculiar charms!
Canal de Nantes a Brest
- Erdre
- Canal du Blavet
The Canal de Nancy a Brest was begun as a strategic connection between the cities of Nantes and Brest in 1824. Upon its completion in 1838 it received the name it has kept until today. Today the canal can only be used on the stretch between Nantes and Pontivy where it flows into the Blavet.
This canal will take you through the most beautiful landscape of Brittany. If you start in Rohan, your boat will take you to the east until you reach Josselin with its Rohan castle and its magnificent towers. This area is definitely worth a visit. Your trip will furthermore take you to Malestroit with its picturesque timber-framed houses and interesting buildings in the Gothic and Renaissance style. Via Redon you will reach Blain, a city of the 15th century with its ruins. To the east of Redon the canal flows into the Erdre which is a tributary of the Loire.
At several points the Erdre expands at its banks and takes the form of small lakes at whose borders you can find vineyards. If you proceed to the west from Rohan you reach a watershed and by crossing a number of locks you arrive at Pontivy and the river Blavet
which can be travelled on for about 38 miles passing through 28 locks.
Le Canal d’Ile-et-Rance
The Canal-Ile-et-Rance passes St. Germain and via Central Breton it leads to the locks of Hede and to Tinteniac. From here you can travel in direction of St. Malo and the Atlantic coast. Here a tidal power station blocks the way to the Channel that used to be undisturbed. In Dinan you have the opportunity of seeing the St. Sauver basilica and the castle of duchess Anne from the 14th and 15th century.
From Messac: Canal from Nantes to Brest in westward direction up to Josselin, 65 miles, 20 locks (Crown-Blue-Line).
From Messac: on the Vilaine via Rennes to Tinteniac, 60 miles, 43 locks, one week.
One way trip: Messac to Dinan or vice versa, 60 miles, 43 locks (Crown-Blue Line).
Long before holidays on boats became a trend, yacht skippers used this route as an important connection between the Channel and the Atlantic. The area where the Vilaine flows into the sea is a huge fresh water lake which is very pleasant for those who like to go for a hike when leaving the boat. The Vilaine can be travelled on for 86 miles from Rennes where it is accompanied by the Canal d’Ile-et-Rance up to the point where the water flows into the Atlantic. There are 12 locks between Malon and Rennes.
Our houseboat holiday partners:
Nicols: Sucé-sur-Erdre, Glénac
Le Boat: Messac, Dinan, Nort-sur-Erdre
France Passion Plaisance: Redon
Locaboat: St.-Martin-sur-Oust
Informations
Itineraries
Bargains & specials