The Nantes Et Brest Canal Journey
La Velodyssee, Euro Velo Route One – Nantes to Redon
The Nantes et Brest Canal Journey – this the first of a six part series of Posts that I have created on walking or cycling along the Nantes et Brest Canal along which is part of the La Velodyssee Route – this Series of Posts have been written by me and has been published in the online magazine called Viemag which is also worth a search as it is free to read online.
Enjoy the series and please feel free to ask questions
Part one – Nantes to Redon
Cycling or walking the Nantes et Brest canal is no mean feat. The total length of the canal is 360km equivalent to 224 miles with 236 locks along the way.
The canal spans four departments from the Loire-Atlantique passing through Brittany the Morbihan, Cotes d’Armor and Finistere.
The tow path adjacent to the canal is laid with good pathways and surfaces suitable to make the journey comfortable both on wheels or foot. A certain amount of preparation is needed before setting out on such a mammoth adventure, being suitably prepared is key to making the trip a positive experience.
Advance planning your overnight stops is a must and throughout this feature there will be highlighted places to stay.
Breaking the journey into manageable stages for your pace is also key. Some can complete the whole journey in 5 days by bike and others prefer a more leisurely pace giving more time to enjoy the surroundings the villages and places of interest along the way. Walking is by far a more lengthy way to complete the challenge.
The canal path is open to the public all year. It is very busy during the holiday period of July and August, yet the months March, April, May , June, September and October is a pleasant time often with warm but not over hot days and less ‘traffic ‘on the path.
There is no barrier when it comes to age of people completing the route; we have had guests as young as 5 months being towed along in adapted bike trailers by parents, to grandparents cycling with family members. Our award for the oldest guest completing the challenge goes to a granny of 82 years young happily cycling on her Dutch Loop steel bike hand-painted in canary yellow with the wonderful addition of a 5ft tall plastic yellow gerbera flower. She was a great character.
We start this month with the section of the canal at the beginning near Nantes at the village of Quiheix. The section between Nantes and Quiheix is 27km, there is a tram / train that can take you some of this way and if choosing this option then pre booking is advisable especially with bikes. www.ter.sncf.com/bretagne
Although named the Nantes et Brest Canal, a large majority of the route are rivers which have been canalised, this makes for an interesting trip with lots of nature and diversity along the route
The tow path is best joined at the village of Quiheix thus missing a section of road cycling which can be busy with traffic on the D69. It is not possible to make this element of the journey on foot. The section between Nantes and Quiheix is where the canal joins the river Erdre, a larger faster flowing river.
The canal path is well signposted by both of these famous routes the La Velodyssey and the Euro Velo 1. Way markers guide you. Note: I haven’t added any timings or suggested timings to the journey as I feel it is best to accomplish at your own pace.
Along the route some of the Lock houses but certainly not all have been renovated to offer small picnicking facilities, toilets and stand alone bike repair stations. All are free to use, this is a great addition and a testament to the popularity of the route. It is worth noting that these can be some distance apart from each other and as yet I have not found a place to replenish drinking water but there are small detours at some villages which have shops or restaurants where you can fill your bottles.
Nantes to Redon
Quiheix to Redon 74km
The natural beginning of the canal is in the village of Quiheix. The lock here is the first on the route from this point. It is technically the 2nd as the very first is at the point of the canal reaching the larger River of Erdre that flows into Nantes, at this beginning point there is a pleasant view of the canal and river meeting.
The village of Nort-sur-Erdre is approximately 3km from the canal and 6km from the starting point at Quiheix, a good place to pick up supplies for your journey. You will also find an inland port here where boats can be hired.
Once you begin to follow the tow path along the canal you will find that you easily embrace the canal and the challenge of the route, this section is pretty and has several locks (Ecluse in French). All of the Locks are numbered.
As you move west along the route you will note that the canal weaves and crosses other waterways. There is a Rigole de Vioreau stretching 22km this is a small man made gully for run water from its feeder reservoir, you will also note the four grande arches of the aqueduct. At this stretch you will there is a larger lake to your right where a bar ‘La Guingette de Janettes’ is on the northern side of the lake it is open during busier months also a restaurant ‘ la canal restaurant’ on your left which is open all year.
The next notable rest break is where the road bridge of the D132 crosses the canal, a picnic area and toilet stop is located here. Personally, I enjoy these little milestones along the way as it allows for breather and turns the challenge into a holiday.
At Lock no. 9 the L’Isac river flows out the Nantes et Brest canal and the following stretch of water is highlighted on maps as L’Isac a canalised river, the tow path is continuous.
Woodland to the side of the canal along this next part in the summer months gives respite from the direct sun. Soon you are greeted by the beautiful Chataeu de la Groulais rising from the ground majestically on the left, there is also a museum here and a restaurant close by. The inland Port of Blain comes into sight after a short cycle. I love the inland ports along the route these highlight the history of the canal and the days of it being an important industrial working canal. Some communes along the canal have historical photographs on display. I am happily distracted by these and loose myself in thoughts of what life in those times must have been like. Here is one of the first canal side towns ‘ Blain’ that has plenty to offer, accommodation, restaurants and supermarkets it may be that you want to make this your first nights stop over.
Heading on to Redon passing many villages and points of interest just after a horseshoe section you come across the ‘Domaine de Carheil’ a beautiful chapel and Chateau de Carheil. The Chateau was destroyed by fire in 1945 and what remains today is the lower level.
As you head towards Redon you will notice the V in the waterway where the L’Isac river flows in and meets the Nantes et Brest and also where they part company.
At Lock 17 heading towards Redon you will notice a junction with the River Vilaine which houses the borders of the Loire-Atlantique and the Morbihan. Following the tow path you move away from the river Vilaine and head into Redon at a right angle and meeting the river Vilaine again once in Redon.
Redon is a beautiful town, all facilities are here Some people choose to catch the train to Redon to begin the journey here as it is reportedly easier to book on the train here with bikes, similarly ending the route here in Redon.
With this in mind if Redon is to be an overnight stop for you then ensure you book in advance.
Redon also has a Decathlon store useful if in need of bike or cycling equipment.
I hope you have enjoyed this first part of the series of conquering the Nantes et Brest canal by cycle or by foot and hope you join us next month for the next instalment Redon – Malestroit
Regards Sharon ☺