Brest-Nantes Canal

This extraordinary feat of Napoleon-ordered construction connects rivers and lakes to form a delightful winding exploration of the quiet, green Breton countryside, linking a number of interesting towns, including perhaps most notably misty-origined Carhaix, mediaeval Josselin, pleasant Malestroit and the south-eaterly junction town of Redon. (With the advent of railways, it was never financially viable.)

You can now travel lengths of it by boat – or explore it by bike or on foot. You can stop off and enjoy an hour or longer on its banks when passing, which you will certainly do at some point, and make it a journey in its own right. Some good stretches for walking include:

Upstream (on the Aulne river) from Châteaulin and around Pont Coblant near the Brest    end.

Around Carhaix, Pontivy, Josselin and Malestriot in the middle; and

 Redon in the south-east. Red Dog has whole guide book devoted to the canal.

See our Brittany  page for more general and practical information and photos.

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