Lesser known than the maritime part of Brittany and its salty sea-air, there is another Brittany where the green color of willows and alders reigns supreme. This quiet part of Brittany, sheltered from gusty Atlantic winds, sprawls between Nantes et Brest, and all along the canal that once permitted the development of a flourishing fluvial commerce. Drawn out  in two main lines, from Nantes to Brest in the first place, and from Saint Malo to La Roche Bernard in the second, the network links Loire-Atlantique to breton ports. Uncountless boats, loaded with truffle, slate, sand, spices or wine have criss-crossed these waterways before the times when the traffic slowed down. The construction of the Guerlédan dam, in 1924, definitely struck down the fluvial commerce by cutting the canal in two.
Nowadays, thanks to the tourism, navigation has recovered its place on the rivers and canals. Meandering through woods and prairies, quiet and peaceful waters invite strollers out for an unforgettable experience of nature's serenity: walking or  hiking along the fit-out shady banks, or  navigating on a canoe or houseboat,  whatever way you choose.
If you are keen on villages of character, you will be positively surprised to come across many of these former commercial towns going along with the streams. Legacies of their flourishing trade history, they host here a traditional lock-keeper's home to give you a glimpse of how merchandise was transported in ancient times, there a church to delight you with its mural paintings due to  a famous artist. The label “Escale d'une rive à l'autre”, from one bank to another, has been created to award villages that are committed to encouraging and promoting their heritage, water-sports and  high quality facilities. Whenever you come near one of these places, treat yourself to a revitalizing break on a “Terrasse d'une rive à l'autre”. Sounds of smoothly lapping waves and the  view over shimmering water will fill you up with an impression of serenity. This is how you spell “zen” in breton.