Boating holidays in Brittany & Nantes-Brest canal

Medieval monuments, arts and crafts, traditional half-timbered houses, gourmet cuisine with a flavour of the sea. A mixture of authentic tradition and magic: here are the top five attractions that shouldn’t be missed. L’Ile aux Pies (Magpie Island), shaped by nature With the largest transverse valley in the area, shaped by its river, 15 km of the island are listed as a ‘Grand Site Naturel’. Discover legends, the remains of human habitation and memories… a real treasure hunt. The village of La Gacilly, traditional craftsmanship You’ll find an artistic and bohemian spirit in this village, famous for its artists and craftsmen, working in materials such as wax, clay and even flowers. You’ll also find a magnificent botanical garden that includes over a thousand varieties. Josselin Castle, a family history Overlooking the town and the River Oust, this castle is one of the emblematic sites of Brittany, thanks to its imposing architecture, inspired by the feudal period and the Renaissance, and also because of the people who lived there: the Rohan family, one of the most important dynasties in the Duchy of Brittany. Open doors to the enchanted nature of Brittany In the heart of Brittany, the locks rise up, opening the way through landscapes of wild beauty. Surrounded by verdant moors, mysterious forests and winding rivers, these river gateways offer a magical immersion in Brittany’s nature. The historic elegance of Rennes Rennes is revealed in all its splendour, blending ancient architecture with dynamic modernity. The cobbled streets invite you to take a stroll, while the colourful facades tell the story of the rich history of this Breton city.

Boating the northwest peninsula of Brittany is, in some ways, a world apart from exploring the rest of France via its waterways. Brittany, much like British Cornwall or Spanish Galicia is a region with an independent culture and history compared to the rest of the country. This gives Brittany its own identity, flavour, and feel; something that is noticeable as you pass through Breton villages towns, and the Brittany countryside. Riverly headquarters in the region are located at Saint-Martin-sur-Oust, on the banks of the Oust and the Nantes-Brest Canal. Saint-Martin-sur-Oust is a perfect starting point to explore the Breton peninsula and is well worth an exploration before setting off north along the canal. One of the most attractive sights in Saint-Martin-sur-Oust is Manoir de Balangeard or Balangeard Manor as it is known in English. This beautiful mid-17th-century building is a perfect example of French manor architecture and is an ideal spot to explore. Once you’ve got your fill of Saint Martin, you can head north with your canal boat and begin your journey north through Brittany, arriving at the commune town of Malestroit. Malestroit holds a strong place in modern French history and this is easy to see while walking through town. With half-timber houses and stone facades, Malestroit has an appeal that makes it seem much bigger than it is, giving it the name ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’, a small town of character. Aside from its beauty, Malestroit has a strong connection to French resistance during the Second World War, something that can be seen in all its manifestations at the ‘Museum of the Breton Resistance’.

Leaving one French royal town for another, the Nantes-Brest Canal carries on north to the historic town of Rohan. Although a small and unassuming modern commune town, Rohan has been home to a long line of French nobility, from dukes and viscounts to princes and princesses. Today, the small commune town is a laidback peaceful place and is ideal for sitting back and watching the world go by. After the huge castles and museums of Josselin, Rohan is a more subtle impression of what royal Brittany once was. Bending westward towards the sea, the Nantes-Brest Canal soon joins another famous man-made waterway, the Canal du Blavet. Similar to the Canal du Midi of southern France, Brittany canal boat hire is usually reserved for the Nantes-Brest Canal and the Canal du Blavet. The first stop along this race to Lorient is the quiet market commune town of Pontivy. Settled by Viscount Rohan in the 12th century, it soon became the capital of the area. It was then favoured by Napoleon Bonapart and became one of his ‘new towns’. Nowadays, visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of Pontivy, all of which emanate the idyllic nature of this region. From its local chateau castle to its many canalside cafes and restaurants, there is something for everyone here.

Nantes-Brest canal boat hire will not only take you through some of the most picturesque and cultured towns that Brittany has to offer but will also show you many of the green and pleasant sights of northwestern France. One of the best examples of this is the Gâvre Forest. Covering over 4,500 hectares the Gâvre Forest can be explored as you leave the town of Rodan. An area of outstanding natural beauty, hiking through these woodlands is a fantastic way in which to leave the water behind for a while and stretch those legs. Heading out of the Gâvre Forest, you will soon come to the town of Blain, home to a museum that presents the history of the Breton people, right back to their Galiec tribal routes. This museum has a large collection of artefacts that illustrates this history vividly, taking you right up to the modern-day. Blain in itself, is a great place to stop off before heading on further south along the Nantes-Brest Canal. Before arriving in the city of Nantes, don’t rush past the unmissable commune town of Sucé-sur-Erdre. Although the town itself is one of natural beauty, it is its Ganuchaud Botanical Park that really makes you want to spend some time here. Walking through the many types of flora that grow in the garden will bring a sense of peace and quiet to your journey and one that will relax you before the enticing city of Nantes.