River Cruise - Canal de Nantes à Brest and Erdre

Canal de Nantes à Brest and Erdre

Type : This canal was built to link the important ports of Nantes and Brest.

Locks : The navigable section between Nantes to Pontivy is 206 km with 105 locks.

Along the way

• 1.4 km - Nantes - City with moorings near to the city centre. Nantes is a bustling modern city. The Château des Ducs houses a maritime museum and Breton culture exhibition. Also in the city is the Gothic cathedral of St. Pierre et St. Paul.
• 1.8 km - Île Versailles footbridge - There is a pleasant park on the island.
• 2.0 km - Pontoon moorings with some services.
• 5.2 km - La Jonelière – Quay on the right bank.
• 5.9 km - Water Sports area.
• 9.0 km - La Chapelle-sur-Edre – Quay and hire base. Village 2.5 km. There is a waterside restaurant and shops. The château can be seen from the river.
• 15.1km - Sucé-sur-Edre – Rental Base - Moorings close to the small town. There are sandy riverside beaches shops and restaurants.
• 27.7 km - Plessis bridge – Village of Nort-sur-Edre 2.5 km on the left bank. Norte-sur-Edre - Rental Base - has visitors moorings with services, restaurants and some shopping.
• 38.3 km - Glanet – Small village with restaurant and a garage.
• 42.3 km - La Chevallerais – Quay with village 0.6 km on the left bank.
• 50.2 km - Blain – Quay and moorings with some facilities, 0.5 km from village. The village is set in dense woodland and has a restaurant and some shops.
• 69.3 km - Château de Carheil-en-Plessé – The 17th century castle can be seen in its wooded estate on the right bank.
• 72.8 km - Guenrouet – Village 0.8km on the left bank. There are moorings with good facilities on both sides of the river. The local church is noted for its 20th century stained glass windows.
• 79.0 km - Le Congou – A sandy river beach suitable for bathing. It is a particularly scenic area with the Château de Bogdelin overlooking the river in the St. Gildas forest.
• 83.5 km - Fégréac - Quay with village 1.5 km on the right bank. The old Breton village houses and a 15th century Calvary are among the attractions.
• 94.9 km - Redon – Town with quays. The 17th century ship-wrights’ houses overlook the many waterways and contribute to the name “Little Venice”. The church of St. Saveur is well worth a visit and musical events are held here regularly.
• 103.7 km - Île aux Pies – The Island of magpies is a local beauty spot.
• 105.3 km - Confluence with the River Aff. This river is the access to Glénac Rental Base, and the small town of La Gacilly. La Gacilly is a pretty hilly town of stone houses. There is a good range of shops and restaurants. It is also renowned for the many craftsmen that live and work there; ironware, pottery, glass, leather, stone and semi-precious stones are worked.
• 112.5 km - Pont d’Oust quay. The village of Peillac is 2km on the right bank.
• 117.5 km - Saint-Martin-sur-Oust– Quay with village 0.8 km on the left bank. Basic shopping and restaurant. 9 km south west of the village is the town of Rochefort-en-Terre. Many believe this town is one of the prettiest Breton villages.
• 123.7 km - Saint-Congard – Small village with quay.
• 132.2 km - Malestroit – Quay and jetty with some facilities. Village 0.3 km. Malestroit was once an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route Santiago de Compostela. It was booming in the Middle Ages and many of the granite half-timbered buildings date from this time. Look out for the interesting and amusing carvings decorating some of the houses. The shopping and restaurants are very good here and the local produce market is held on Thursdays.
• 141.0 km - Le Roc-Sainte-André – Village with moorings. Look up and see the Neo-gothic church of Saint André set high on the cliff. It has a curious ornate spire. Also of note is Le manoir de la Touche Carné. The eleven arch bridge over the canal was built by the Duc d’Aiguillon
  in 1760 as part of improvements to the Chateau du Crévy. The 14th century château can be seen from the canal upstream of the village amongst the woodland. It now houses a museum of costume.
• 143.7 km - Montertelot – Village with quay.
• 149.0 km - Guillac – Village 1 km on the left bank. This village gives access to Forest of Paimpont and the town of Ploërmel (8km) noted as the seat of the Ducs de Bretagne and the site of an Arboretum specialising in Hydrangeas.
• 157.4 km - Josselin – Village with quay and picturesque moorings beneath the castle. This is a beautiful small town with a fascinating history. Must sees include the castle, the basilica and the medieval streets.
• 178..4 km - Timadeuc – The nearby Trappist abbey is closed to the public but a Gregorian sung Mass can be heard in the summer just after 11 am
• 181.5 km - Rohan – Small town with boat harbour and moorings. Last chance for good riverside shopping before Pontivy. The château is the original Rohan stronghold from the 12th century.
• 182.2 km - Saint-Samson – Village with boat harbour.
• 187.8 km - Gueltas – Village 1.2 km on the right bank from quay and lock 59.
• 190.4km - Saint-Gonnery – Village 1.5 km on the left bank from lock 76.
• 196.3 km - Saint-Gérand – Village 0.7 km on left bank from lock 79.
• 205.9 km - Pontivy – Town with quays, good shopping and restaurants. The junction of the canal and the river Blavet is marked by the fortified 15th century château. It is the centre of the medieval section of Pontivy. Other parts of the town tell of the Napoleonic era when it was a military base. The local produce market is held on a Monday in Place du Martray.