A night on the canal | Brittany tourism

How do you fancy getting away from the city to a place where time seems to stand still? Take a break on Brittany’s canals and let the lapping waves and gentle breezes rock you to sleep. A real outdoor experience that gives you a sense of freedom!

In the blink of an eye

1. A dream in purple on the Péniche Orphée

Forges de Lanouée, 5 km from Josselin

Snuggled in the belly of this fully-renovated large purple barge, named after Orpheus, let your imagination sail away over the canal… without ever leaving your mooring. Furnished in a contemporary style, this floating gîte has four cosy rooms and accommodates up to six people. Cécile will be happy to tell you about the best scenic walks in the area. Only a 10 km bike ride away is Josselin and its beautiful medieval fortress.

Péniche Orphée (FR)

Narrow boat, hébergement flottant de L'Ille Flottante, à Hédé-Bazouges

2. A feel-good break on the “Ille Flottante”

Hédé-Bazouges, Ecluse de la Petite Madeleine

On Ille-et-Rance canal, between Rennes and Saint-Malo, La Petite Madeleine lock is the perfect spot for a relaxing stay on the water. Amidst this peaceful greenery, near the Maison du canal d’Ille-et-Rance, 5 boats each with their own atmosphere await to rock you gently off to sleep! Cosy houseboat? Small sailboat or yacht? Take your pick: the interiors are spacious, the welcome warm and attentive and the breakfasts hearty and delicious. In this little slice of paradise, you can hire bikes or a licence-free boat to go freewheeling or sailing up the canal to the lovely old town of Dinan. At the lock keeper’s house, you’ll find a bar, a shop selling local products/homeware and ready-to-eat snacks and jars. There are also various events going on. Do you stay, or do you come back to try everything out? It’s win-win whatever you decide!

Ille Flottante

Ideas

The inratables of the summer, the place to be to treat yourself to a seafood platter, the best views on the GR®34, the best spots to start surfing… in short, all the good...

3. Ti War An Dour, my house on the water

Guégon leisure center

Moored on a small lake just off the Nantes-Brest Canal near the town of Josselin, floating gîtes called ‘Ti War An Dour’ (which means ‘house on the water’ in Breton) promise a good night’s sleep. They have two bedrooms (including a master bedroom), a wonderful terrace and a large picture window for enjoying the view with a cocktail, plus Wi-Fi connection. It’s the perfect spot for fishing in the Josselin area and a dream base for exploring the Nantes-Brest Canal by boat or electric bike, which can be rented nearby.

Ti War An Dour – a floating gîte

4. An idyllic nature break at Domaine des Can’Haltes

Gueltas, 17 km from Pontivy

15 minutes from Pontivy, on the Nantes to Brest canal, a variety of cosy houseboats greet you for a break to reconnect with nature. The pénettes are traditional small rivercraft connected to the bank by a footbridge. While the equally enchanting can’haltes are small, waterside cabins with a box-bed… Since the famous Atlantic Coast cycle route, the Vélodyssée, passes through here, why not hop on your bike to enjoy a ride! With the generous local producers’ breakfast, La Canotière 59 (pancake house open in the summer), massage and wellness pénette, and even the chance to sleep in a real lock keeper’s house, nearby, a delightfully refreshing holiday awaits!

Domaine des Can’Haltes