The Canal from Nantes to Brest
Day 1
65 km
Nantes → Blain
You leave Nantes in the golden light of early morning, with the Erdre River as your guide. The gravel crunches under your wheels, the wind brushes your skin. At La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, the Hesperides Garden greets you with ripe cherries, figs, and heirloom apples—pure edible poetry.
Further upriver, proud châteaux line the banks like silent sentinels. At Sucé-sur-Erdre, ducks drift by in still water. Calm reigns; you can almost hear your heartbeat.
You join the canal near Nort-sur-Erdre. The world grows quiet—no cars, just trees rustling, water trickling through locks, and a heron lifting off at your passing. In Blain, the Château de la Groulais stands watch over the town. Before resting, don’t miss the quirky museum filled with nativity scenes and porcelain fèves.
Day 2
54 km
Blain → Redon
The morning smells of dew. Your legs are a bit stiff, but your spirit is light. The canal unfolds in a green ribbon—bocage hedgerows, quaint bridges, resin-scented pinewoods. Every bend reveals a new scene.
Pause at the Melneuf lock, where the sound of water on stone soothes you. In Guenrouët, sample cider at the Kérisac cidery and admire the stained-glass windows casting color across cool stone.
Soon, you arrive in Redon—a town ruled by water. Three rivers converge, reflecting sky and light. Flower-lined locks lead to the old port, and half-timbered houses seem untouched by time. Spices from old maritime routes still whisper in the narrow streets.
Day 3
64 km
Redon → Josselin
The air is damp and rich with forest scents. The canal leads you into the wild sanctuary of Île-aux-Pies, where pine trees scrape the sky and ferns sigh beneath your wheels. Herons stand still, woodpeckers echo through the trunks.
In Peillac, you may hear the wind turning the blades of the last windmill. Then comes Malestroit, jewel of the Oust, with gargoyles and flower-filled alleys. Follow the scent of malt to Le Roc-Saint-André, home to both craft beer and Breizh Cola.
At last, Josselin appears like a mirage—its fortress grand, its timbered homes colorful and bright with geraniums. A postcard brought to life.
Day 4
50 km
Josselin → Pontivy
Silver light dances on the water. At the Abbey of Timadeuc, warm stone smells of bread and peace. The monks’ chant lingers as you ride on.
At Rohan, the canal takes center stage: 20 km, 54 locks, a slow, rhythmic meditation. Each lock a milestone, each sign an invitation to observe. Wildflowers thrive—foxgloves, irises, ferns bursting with life.
Pontivy greets you with the imposing Château des Rohan. In the golden afternoon, its streets blend medieval charm with Napoleonic lines. History lives here—in every stone.
Day 5
58 km
Pontivy → Rostrenen
You ride along the Blavet River, its lush banks thick like a Breton jungle. Dragonflies flit, frogs croak in the reeds.
In Guerlédan, the Electrothèque tells the story of electricity, just before the emerald lake appears—a moment of stillness and grandeur. It feels like a corner of Canada hidden in Brittany.
You climb an old rail line above the valley. On the horizon, the slumbering Forges des Salles peek through the trees. Peace settles in Gouarec, and woods and meadows guide you past the 16th-century chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Pitié. A few more turns, and you arrive in Rostrenen, nestled in the hills.
Day 4
50 km
Rostrenen → Carhaix-Plouger
The canal stirs to life. Daffodils line the path, birds greet the dawn. You reach a staircase of locks—15 in just 4 km—a spectacular yet soothing stretch.
Through hay-scented fields, you reach Carhaix, home of the legendary Vieilles Charrues festival. Renaissance homes lean over narrow lanes. Cap off your day with a local beer at the Coreff brewery.
Day 7
75 km
Carhaix-Plouger → Châteaulin
A longer ride awaits as you enter the Aulne Valley—deep, green, and serene. Herons rise with each curve, cormorants dive, leaves murmur overhead.
At Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Trévarez Castle stands above the valley. In Pleyben, admire the intricate enclos paroissial, a sculpted wonder in stone. End your day in Châteaulin, lulled by the sound of the river.
Day 8
59 km
Châteaulin → Brest
Your final day carries the scent of the sea. In Port-Launay, the air grows saltier. The canal guides you to Le Faou, with its slate-roofed homes and smoking chimneys.
Fields blur past, legs grow heavy, but Brest draws near. After Daoulas and Loperhet, you cross the majestic Iroise Bridge: before you, the wide open Atlantic.
Drop off your bike at the Paulette agency—thanks to one-way rental, there’s nothing else to think about. Linger in the city: tour a navy vessel, visit the national maritime museum, or admire the view from Brest Castle. Then reward yourself with a crisp galette and a bowl of cider.
Your breath may be short, but your heart is full. You’ve crossed Brittany—by canal, at your pace, with the freedom only a bike can bring.