The canal links Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) to Brest (Finistère)
Total length: 364 km
Number of locks: 236
Construction began: 1811
In Finistère:
The canal links Port-Launay to Carhaix Port
Length: 104 km
Number of locks : 35
The canal was built to take freight between Nantes and Brest. As the railways took precedence, so the canal developed for pleasure and leisure rather than work. Where once great horses plodded the towpaths, you'll now see fishermen, cyclists and families.
- Rivière de Morlaix
- Les abers (Wrac’h, Benoît), Ildut)
- Rivière de l’Elorn
- Rivière du Goyen
- Rivière de Pont-l’abbé
- Rivière de l’Odet
Considered by many to be the prettiest river in France, the Odet springs from the Montagnes Noires. Spectacular in the Stangala gorges, the Odet then calmly threads through Quimper before snaking its way to sea through wooded landscapes dotted with picturesque châteaux and pretty ports.
The Odet is a tidal river, 62 km long, with a navigable maritime section stretching from Quimper out to the sea at Bénodet.
- Rivière de l’Aven / Rivière du Bélon
- Rivière de la Laita
Pleasure boating, kayaking, or reclining on the riverbanks with a book, nothing beats a waterside setting.
The Nantes-Brest canal bears witness to countless years of Brittany's history, with the River Aulne being Finistère branch of this famous network.
Designed to guarantee supplies to Brest, the canal was completed in 1842, taking eight water sources to supply it. This 360km stretch of water crosses through the woods, mountains, towns and hamlets of Finistère, rushing pas the coloured houses of Carhaix, the lush green banks of Châteauneuf du Faou and heads towards Châteaulin.
On the water itself or on the banks, plenty of activities allow you to enjoy this beautiful feature: biking or walking the towpaths, casting your line, even cruising on a boat... the landscapes of the Aulne Valley are definitely worth adding to your list!
Boat trips on the canal
From March to November, Aulne Loisirs Plaisance offers a range of canal and riverbank activities (leaving from Penn-Ar-Pont atChateauneuf-du-Faou).
Tel: +33 (0)2 98 73 28 63
www.aulneloisirs.com
If you'd like to get on the water in your own rowing boat, canoe or kayak, contact Châteaulin's rowing and kayak club, the Canoe-kayak base at Saint-Thois or the watersports club at Pont-Coblant (Pleyben).
Following the River Aulne
A totally relaxed pace of life surrounds the Aulne Valley, whose banks are garlanded with camellias, mimosa and the occasional palm tree. Here, where the freshwater and saltwater mix, you can drift past Rosnoën Bay, the new bridge of Terenez, Landevennec with its abbey ruins and wonderful gardens, then the lively colours of Port Launay.
It's a hushed, secretive landscape with a rhythm of its own.
Useful contacts:
Canaux de Bretagne
1, rue Raoul Ponchon
35069 Rennes Cedex
Tél. 02 23 47 02 09
contact@canauxdebretagne.org
S.M.A.T.A.H.
Syndicat Mixte d'Aménagement Touristique de l'Aulne et de l'Hyères
Maison éclusière de Bizernig
29520 Châteauneuf du Faou
Tél. 02 98 73 40 31
www.smatah.fr
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