River Cruise - River Vilaine

River Vilaine

Type : Canalised river. The river flows through open meadowland, wooded cliffs and features many picturesque old stone mills.

Locks : 12 locks in 52 km

Along the way

• 0.0 km - Rennes – City with quays 0.5 km from town centre. Excellent shopping and restaurants. Much of the medieval city was destroyed in a fire in 1720 but some ancient buildings remain. The wide boulevardes make Rennes a pleasant city to walk in. Sights of note include the former houses of Parliament, the Thabour gardens and the Museum of Breton life.
• 0.1 km - Junction with the Canal Îlle et Rance.
• 1.0 km - Confluence of Îlle on right bank.
• 14.0 km - Bruz – Village 2 km on the left bank.
• 18.0 km - Pont-Réan – Village with quays. Some shops and a waterside restauant.
• 20.3 km - Confluence of Seiche.
• 21.0 km - Scenic section through slate cliffs, rocky islands and a picturesque water mill. This area has been designated the Parc Naturel de Boël.
• 23.7 km - Laillé – Boat moorings with village 2.5 km on the left bank. Close by is the Château deBagatz.
• 26.8 km - Le Bouëxière – A stone mill house and restaurant.
• 28.5 km - Bourgs-des-Comptes – Glanret bridge with quay. Village 1.8 km on the left bank with shops and restaurant.
• 30.2 km - La Courbe – Small pretty village with a small restaurant.
  - Scenic area with several châteaux and converted water mills.
• 35.3 km - Pléchatel – Village 1 km on the left bank. Rowing and pedal boats can be hired by the bridge.
• 47.0 km - Messac Boat harbour and restaurant.
• 47.4 km - Messac – Village on the left bank.
• 48.0 km - Guipry – Quay with village 1.5 km on the right bank. Good shops and supermarket.
  - Scenic area follows. Dense woodland (Bois de Boeuvres and Bois de Baron) and rocky cliffs.
• 62.2 km - Port de Roche – Small village with quay.
• 66.4 km - Confluence of Chère
• 69.3 km - Beslé – Quay with village 0.5 km on the left bank. Hotel, restaurant and some shops
• 71.3 km - Brain-sur-Vilaine – Quay and village on the right bank.
• 76.5 km - Lac de Murin – Lake beyond the left bank of the river.
• 79.3 km - Painfaut – Small village 0.3 km on the right bank.
• 89.1 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.
• 89.2 km - Crossing with Canal de Nantes a Brest.
• 89.7 km - Redon basin
• 90.9 km - Confluence of Oust.
• 96.1 km - Junction with the Canal de Nantes a Brest.
• 96.7 km - Rieux quay.
• 101.8 km - Cran – Pontoon moorings, restaurant.
• 114.9 km - Foleux – Boat harbour.
• 122.6 km - La Roche-Bernard harbour – Moorings and boatyard. Village 0.5 km on left bank.