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)

2. Boat, bike and kayak at the floating

Hédé-Bazouges, Ecluse de la Petite Madeleine

Ever heard of a ‘toue cabanée’? It’s a traditional boat used on the Loire River for fishing and transporting goods. They have a small cabin for spending the night on board. The addition of an awning allows you to use the outside areas in all weathers, making it a unique place to stay, with enough space to play Robinson Crusoe with two children. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace across from the magnificent flight of 11-locks at Hédé-Bazouges… You’ll also get two adult bikes and a kayak for relaxing trips along the canal towards Dinan and the Rance Valley.

L’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