From Nantes to Brest, a haven of peace that’s perfect for outdoor activities
There are no less than 236 locks on this 360 km stretch of waterway, punctuating the journeys of the small boats that travel along the canal. Tamed by these treasures of technical ingenuity, the waterway snakes through the most beautiful Breton valleys from the River Erdre to the River Aulne via the Vilaine, Oust and Blavet Rivers. The canal makes its way through delightful ‘petites Cités de Caractère’ (small towns of character) such as Malestroit and Rohan and the remnants of secular abbeys (Bon-repos) and medieval fortresses (Josselin). More active visitors will get through the winding circuit in a week, but you might prefer a more leisurely pace and make stops at the many hotels, stopover gîtes and B&Bs scattered along the way.