01 BRITTANY | Breil inland waterways guide

inland waterways guide

The canal d'Ille et Rance, The Vilaine, The Blavet, The canal from Nantes to Brest, the Aff, the Erdre, the Sèvre Nantaise, Loire Estuary.

The Brittany canals were dug at the beginning of the 19th century to provide an inland route sheltered from English pirates preying off the coastline. Partly canalised rivers and partly canals, they are among the most attractive of all the French waterways.

There are two main itineraries: north-south and east-west.

The north-south route includes the Canal d’Ille et Rance and the Vilaine River. In the latest edition of the guide we have paid special attention to some low bridges on the upper section of the Canal d’Ille et Rance. The body which manages the canal, called IRCIRMON, may lower the pounds to increase bridge height but until this is done you must take care if your headroom is more the 2.50m. The east-west route, called the Nantes - Brest Canal, is made up of a whole series of canalised rivers with some artificial sections. It is unfortunately cut in two by the big hydro-electric barrage which forms the Guerlédan lake and the central section is no longer navigable.

West of the lake there is very little boating activity. This is a great pity as an association called the SMATAH has worked hard to improve navigation conditions and the canal, which is in reality the Aulne river, is particularly attractive.