The Nantes-Brest canal crosses the middle of Brittany. From one lock to the next, the waterway meanders its way through contrasting landscapes and leads you to discover many treasures of local heritage, including abbeys, castles, and chapels.
The canal – connecting people
No visitor should miss the Nantes-Brest canal when they visit the Heart of Brittany, as it is a genuine symbol of an integral part of the history of Brittany. It was due to the determination of Napoleon 1st, that the canal was constructed from Nantes to Brest transforming it into a 364 kilometer -long waterway, dotted with 237 locks. The engineers from the bridges and road works had to cope with two major challenges: digging the artificial canal out by hand and enabling both the water and boats to pass through the hills which separated them.
An absolute must for tourists
Whether by land or along the water, the canal offers you a whole range of leisure activities.
On foot, by bike or even on horseback, the canal and its towpath is an ideal place for rambling, cycling or hacking. The towns and villages you pass through or pass by have a rich and diverse heritage waiting to be visited, should you only take the time to look at the chapels, abbeys and stone calvarias which will appear on your route. If you feel like a break, then you can stop at a café and sit on the terrace or stop off and visit a lock house.
The canal is also highly prized by local anglers and contains a wide variety of fish species.
There’s no doubt about it, whether you’re a sports enthusiast or simply fond of a stroll with your family, you will really enjoy the time you spend by the Nantes-Brest canal.
