Summary

Information about the 360km long Canal de Nantes à Brest

Canal de Nantes a Brest France Map

The Canal de Nantes à Brest is formed by canalised rivers and three canal sections built to cross the three successive watersheds: Loire-Vilaine, Oust-Blavet and Blavet-Hyères. This was the most ambitious canal project completed in France, 360km long with no less than 218 locks! The canal was closed as a through route in 1920, when a section was submerged by the Guerlédan dam (PK 227), a short distance west of the junction with the canalised river Blavet at Pontivy. The entire length of waterway west of Guerlédan was officially closed in 1957, and the 21km length from Pontivy to Guerlédan also subsequently fell into disuse. At the same time, the disappearance of all commercial traffic (in 26m long barges carrying up to 140 tonnes) resulted in the gradual silting up of the canal section between Rohan and Pontivy, reducing the available depth to 0.90m or less.

The situation has greatly improved in recent years, thanks to substantial investments made in anticipation of transfer of the entire canal system to the Region, which has now taken place. Dredging works have been completed throughout the navigable lengths, and the isolated western section has been extended up to Goariva. This was a ‘second restoration’, after floods damaged the structures restored in the 1980s. The potential of the Brittany canals for cruising and tourism is recognised by local authorities throughout the region, thanks in no small measure to the campaigning efforts of the Comité des Canaux Bretons, the oldest waterway association in France. The complete length of the waterway is given in the distance table, distinguishing the navigable and non-navigable sections as follows:

Eastern section, Nantes to Guerlédan

225km, 116 locks, navigable, although the last 21km to Guerlédan, with 11 locks, remains to be restored,

Guerlédan bypass,

presumed to be an incline with a boat elevator 1100m long (bypassing 19 locks of the original canal),

Middle section, Guerlédan to Mellionec 26km, 10 locks, navigable,

Missing link, Mellionec to Goariva

27km, 45 locks, unnavigable, but restoration of all the locks is in progress,

Western section, Goariva to Port Launay 81km, 41 locks, navigable.

It should be noted that the unnavigable sections are available for small boats and canoes, and that the towpath is available throughout for walkers and cyclists, except along the Erdre and around the Guerlédan reservoir.

In recent years there has been a serious threat to integrity of the canal because of a drive to demolish the weirs on the canalised river Blavet west of Pontivy, as well as on the canalised river Aulne in the canal’s western section. The main advocates of weir demolition are the angling community and their representative organisations, who wanted to encourage migrating fish species to return to the rivers. After careful study of the impacts of weir removal, the idea has thankfully been abandoned as unfeasible. Studies showed in particular that significant negative environmental effects could ensue.Canal de Nantes a Brest Bretagne Map

History – The Canal de Nantes à Brest was built between 1804 and 1836 as a strategic link between the two seaports, thus securing military supplies in case of a blockade of Brittany’s ports by the British. Works and operation were conceded in 1822 to the Compagnie des Quatre Canaux under the Becquey prigramme, with a new funding mechanism. The waterway never carried much commercial traffic. Recreational traffic has also been limited because of the ‘barrier’ of the watershed section of the Nantes-Brest canal east from Pontivy, with its countless locks, and the real barrier of Guerlédan Dam to the west. However, recreational use of the towpath has developed spectacularly in recent years, also on the unrestored lengths, and is now one of the arguments for completing restoration end to end, as promoted for 50 years by the Comité des Canaux Bretons. The canal’s new owner, Brittany Regional Council, is considering the options.

Essentials


Key Waterway Dimensions

  • Max Beam: 4.60m
  • Max Height: 2.40m
  • Max Draught: 1.60m

Local Waterway Links


Navigation

Eastern section, Nantes to Pontivy

The Canal de Nantes à Brest, 225 km in length from Nantes to Guerlédan, offers two alternative routes to the Bay of Biscay from the English Channel, in addition to the direct route via the river Vilaine. The navigator reaching the Brittany waterway crossroads at Redon may turn south-east towards Nantes, a distance of 95 km from the entrance lock at Redon. Over the last 22km navigation is in the river Erdre, which is wide and almost estuarine in character, and one of the most picturesque rivers in France. From Nantes the Loire estuary gives access to the Atlantic at Saint-Nazaire. The alternative route is north-west to Pontivy (111km from Redon), whence the Canal du Blavet leads down to the sea at Lorient. The summit level section from Rohan to Pontivy was closed for many years because of recurrent failure and eventual closure of the 63km long Hilvern feeder from Bosméléac reservoir. This was overcome by building a pipeline from the Blavet to the summit which can supply up to 450 l/s. The feeder itself may be restored, following tests with a new bentonite lining, but this will only be as a tourism and landscape asset.

Locks  From Nantes to Redon there are 18 locks, minimum dimensions 26.50 by 4.70m. The first, Saint-Félix, gives access from the Loire to the river Erdre (then lock-free). It is open from 3 hours before to 3 hours after high tide. Six more lead up to the summit level at 19.80m above sea level. There are 10 locks down to the Vilaine, this section incorporating the canalised river Isac. The Vilaine is entered at Redon or 6 km before Redon is reached, through Bellions lock (17).

Draught The maximum authorised draught on the canal is 1.40m, which should now be available throughout, following extensive dredging.

Headroom – The maximum authorised air draught is 2.40m (although the normal headroom at most bridges is at least 3.15m).

Towpath There is a well-maintained towpath along the canal sections, but not along the river Erdre, nor along the river Vilaine from Bellions lock to Redon.

Authority

– Conseil Général de Loire-Atlantique

Service des Infrastructures Maritimes et Voies Navigables – 23-25 rue Pitre-Chevallier, 44000 Nantes (PK 0-95)

– Région Bretagne – Service des Voies Navigables

Institution d’Aménagement de la Vilaine – 1 quai amiral de la Grandière, 35600 Redon (PK 95-105)

Subdivision Blavet-Canal de Nantes à Brest – 1 avenue du Commandant Ameil, 56140 Malestroit (PK 105-227)

Guerlédan bypass  The long-term goal of restoration of the complete waterway would be served by the construction of a special facility to transfer boats from the canal to the Guerlédan reservoir. A feasibility study commissioned by the Brittany Regional Council in the 1990s proposed several possible solutions with estimated costs, but no decision has yet been taken. The focus in the foreseeable future is on restoration of the canal on either side of this obstacle.

Middle section, Guerlédan to Mellionec – The département of Côtes d’Armor has restored a section of the canal from the head of the Guerlédan reservoir to an isolated chapel (La Pitié) in the commune of Mellionec, near Rostrenen, a distance of 26km. The first 10km is in the Guerlédan reservoir, which submerged 16 locks. The remainder is the restored canal, with 10 locks, the last (Coat-Natous) being the only double staircase lock in Brittany.

Missing link, Mellionec to Goariva  This section is mentioned for reference. It is 27km long, with 45 locks, of which 13 rise from Coat-Natous to the summit level, the other 34 falling to Goariva, which marks the limit of the Finistère département.

Western section, Goariva to Châteaulin

The western section is the entire length of the canal in the Finistère département, a distance of 81km from Goariva, near Carhaix-Plouguer, to Châteaulin. This waterway suffered heavily from flood damage and was closed  for several years above Châteauneuf-du-Faou. It further suffered politically from the campaign by the angling community, supported by environmental groups, in favour of abandoning the navigation and demolishing all the weirs. As on the Blavet section towards Pontivy (see above), the idea of restoring free-flow conditions is rejected by the decision-makers in favour of maintaining the waterway as multi-use heritage. All structures have now been repaired and the waterway can again be navigated throughout.

Downstream of Châteaulin the Aulne is a maritime navigation, although there is a tide lock at Guily-Glaz, 4km downstream. For convenience an approximate distance table is given for navigation between Châteaulin and Brest, although nautical works should be consulted for crossing the Brest roadstead.

Locks  There are 45 locks (numbered 192 to 236 on the original canal), of which 12 are on the canal section down to Port-Triffen, 6 are on the canalised river Hyère and the remaining 27 on the canalised river Aulne. Their dimensions are 25.70 by 4.65m. All these locks are unmanned, and have to be worked by the boat’s crew using a windlass (supplied against a deposit of 50). A leaflet of instructions is issued to all boaters. It should be noted that the tide lock at Guily-Glaz is 40m long and 10m wide, allowing large vessels to reach Châteaulin. Boat owners reaching Châteaulin from the sea and intending to proceed up the Aulne may be supplied with a windlass by the Guily-Glaz lock-keeper. Guily-Glaz lock is operated from 2 hours before to 2 hours after high tide.

Draught – On the inland waterway down to Châteaulin the maximum authorised draught is 1.20m. Châteaulin may be reached by vessels drawing as much as 3.00m.

Headroom – The fixed bridges leave a minimum headroom of 3.50m.

Towpath – There is a towpath throughout, except along the Vilaine between Le Bellions and Redon.

Authority  

Syndicat Mixte d’Aménagement Touristique de l’Aulne et de l’Hyères (SMATAH)

– Maison éclusière de Bizernig, 29520 Châteauneuf-du-Faou (PK 279-360)

DDEA du Finistère

– 2 boulevard du Finistère, 29325, Quimper cedex (tidal river and lock 236).

Details+Map

Click to enlarge

Canal de Nantes a Brest Waterway Map

Route description

PK 0.0     Junction with river Loire 
PK 0.1     Lock 1 (Saint-Félix), footbridge, water
PK 0.2     Bridge (Tbilissi), basin u/s (St-Félix)
PK 0.6     Road bridges and railway bridge
PK 0.7     Entrance to tunnel St-Félix, under boulevards
PK 1.4     Nantes, basin at northern tunnel entrance, moorings close to city centre
PK 1.5     Bridge (Saint-Mihiel)
PK 1.7     D/s entrance to port de plaisance (Port de l’Erdre) r/b access to long-term moorings only
PK 1.8     Footbridge (Île Versailles), park on island
PK 2.0     Nantes port de plaisance u/s entrance, r/b, (Port de l’Erdre) access to long-term moorings only, visitor moorings on pontoon in main channel), 20 visitors’ berths, 1st night free then €17, fuel, water, electricity, showers, slipway, pump-out, repairs, restaurant
PK 2.3     Bridge (Général de la Motte-Rouge)
PK 3.1     Bridge (Tortière)
PK 5.2     La Jonelière quay r/b
PK 5.5     Railway bridge (La Jonelière)
PK 5.6     Road bridge (La Beaujoire), N844 Nantes ring road
PK 5.9     Water sports centre l/b
PK 8.0     Motorway bridge (A11)
PK 9.0     La Chapelle-sur-Erdre quay r/b, village 2500m
PK 10.5     Carquefou quay l/b, village 3000m
PK 15.1     Sucé-sur-Erdre bridge, quay d/s r/b, Bretagne Fluviale hire base, boat moorings close to village, 30 berths, 2 nights free then €6.70, water, electricity, shower, crane on request, slipway, repairsJonction Plan Nantes
PK 21.4     Entrance to canal section, r/b,  Erdre navigable upstream to Nort-sur-Erdre
PK 21.7     Lock 2 (Quiheix), bridge
PK 23.4     Bridge (Blanchetière)
PK 23.6     Railway bridge
PK 25.1     Bridge (Vive-Eve)
PK 26.2     Lock 3 (Tindière)
PK 27.7     Bridge (Plessis), Nort-sur-Erdre 2500m l/b
PK 28.9     Lock 4 (Rabinière), bridge (Rocher, D164)
PK 29.9     Lock 5 (Haie Pacoret)
PK 30.9     Lock 6 (Cramezeul)
PK 31.5     Bridge (Rouziou)
PK 32.3     Lock 7 (Pas d’Héric), beginning of summit level
PK 33.0     Bridge (Coudrais), quay
PK 35.4     Pipeline crossing
PK 35.9     Bridge (Saffré)
PK 38.2     Bridge (Bout-de-Bois), quay
PK 38.5     Motorway bridge (Glanet), N137
PK 39.9     Bridge (Remaudais)
PK 40.7     Lock 8 (Remaudais), end of summit level
PK 42.3     La Chevallerais bridge, quay d/s r/b, village 600m l/b
PK 43.4     Bridge (Gué de l’Atelier)
PK 43.8     Lock 9 (Gué de l’Atelier)
PK 43.9     Canal becomes canalised river Isac
PK 45.3     Lock 10 (Terrier)
PK 45.6     Bridge
PK 45.9     Bridge (D164)
PK 48.7     Lock 11 (Blain)
PK 50.0     Footbridge
PK 50.2     Blain quay r/b, moorings for 7 boats, water, electricity, shower, town centre 500m
PK 50.3     Bridge (Pont de la Croix Rouge)
PK 50.5     Disused railway bridge
PK 51.5     Lock 12 (Paudais)
PK 56.2     Lock 13 (Bougard), bridge, quay u/s r/b
PK 59.5     Lock 14 (Barel)
PK 59.6     Bridge
PK 61.9     Lock 15 (Touche)
PK 63.5     Bridge (Pont-Nozay), D3, quay d/s l/b

Canal de Nantes a Brest Lock
Melneuf Lock, PK 65.9 © John Riddel/Éditions du Breil

PK 65.9     Lock 16 (Melneuf)
PK 66.1     Bridge (Melneuf)
PK 69.3     Château de Carheil r/b
PK 72.8     Bridge (Saint-Clair), quay d/s l/b, capacity 12 berths, water, electricity, shower, slipway, Guenrouet 800m l/b
PK 80.0     Navigation enters Thénot diversion canal, r/b
PK 81.7     Bridge (Catée)
PK 83.5     Bridge (D773, Fégréac bypass)
PK 83.7     Fégréac bridge (Pont-Miny), quay u/s l/b, ‘Maison du Canal’ interpretation centre, village 1500m r/b
PK 85.5     Railway bridge (Trouhel)
PK 86.0     Bridge (Trouhel)
PK 88.5     Bridge (Saint-Jacques)
PK 88.6     Junction with river Vilaine , through lock 17 (Bellions), alternative route to Redon via the Vilaine is 700 m longer than by the canal
PK 90.8     Footbridge
PK 91.7     Bridge (Le Tertre)
PK 92.5     Bridge (Quinssignac)

Junction Vilaine at Redon
The junction of the canal with the river Vilaine at Redon. Lock 17bis (Isac) on the far side of the crossing has long been closed, but is about to be reopened by Loire-Atlantique département, along with the 6km length of canal beyond the junction. © Philip Cook

PK 93.1     Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon, bridge, village r/b
PK 94.7     Lock 17 (Isac), lift bridge and footbridge
PK 94.9     Redon, Vilaine crossing, quays, town centre 200m
PK 95.0     Lock 18 (Oust or Redon), bridge and moving bridge
PK 95.1     Junction with Redon basin through Grand Bassin lock, lift bridge (see under Vilaine)
PK 95.2     Road and rail swing bridge, entrance to large basin r/b
PK 95.7     Suspension bridge (Guichardais)
PK 96.1     Bridge
PK 96.4     Bridge (Codilo)
PK 96.5     Railway bridge
PK 97.3     Bridge (Courée)
PK 99.4     Bridge (Marionnette), D764
PK 101.4     Suspension bridge (Potinais)
PK 101.7     Navigation enters river Oust, turning right (u/s), weir leftRedon Junction Plan
PK 103.7     Island (Île aux Pies), beauty spot
PK 104.1     Saint-Vincent-sur Oust quay r/b, water, electricity, shower at camp site
PK 105.2     Confluence of river Aff  l/b
PK 105.3     Lock 19 (Maclais, or Painfaut)
PK 107.0     Bridge (Prévotais)
PK 108.7     Bridge (Bilaire)
PK 109.8     Lock 20 (Limur), bridge
PK 109.9     Navigation re-enters river Oust
PK 112.5     Bridge (Pont-d’Oust), quay d/s r/b, water, electricity, shower at camp site, slipway, Peillac 2000m r/b
PK 116.6     Lock 21 (Le Gueslin)
PK 117.5     Bridge (Le Gueslin), quay l/b, Saint-Martin 800m l/b
PK 120.4     Lock 22 (Rieux)
PK 121.8     Saint-Gravé quay r/b, village 5500m
PK 123.7     Saint-Congard bridge, quay, small village r/b
PK 125.5     Lock 23 (Beaumont) in short lock-cut r/b
PK 129.6     Lock 24 (Foveno) in short lock-cut r/b
PK 132.0     Footbridge
PK 132.2     Malestroit bridge (Pont Neuf), quay and timber jetty d/s r/b, water, sanitary building, village 300m
PK 132.3     Bridge (Aristide-Briand) over entrance to lock-cut r/b
PK 132.6     Lock 25 (Malestroit), bridge
PK 134.4     Lock 26 (Lanée), bridge
PK 135.4     Lock 27 (Lanée), permanently open, bridge, navigation re-enters Oust
PK 137.2     Motorway bridge (N166)
PK 137.6     Railway bridge
PK 139.7     Lock 28 (Ville-aux-Fruglins)
PK 141.0     Le Roc-Saint-André bridge, mooring d/s r/b, water, electricity, shower at camp site, village r/b
PK 141.5     Railway bridge (Hungleux)
PK 143.7     Lock 29 (Montertelot), bridge, quay u/s l/b for 7 boats, water, electricity €2), slipway, village l/b
PK 145.0     Railway bridge (Deux-Rivières)
PK 146.2     Lock 30 (Blon)
PK 148.0     Bridge, quay u/s r/b
PK 149.0     Lock 31 (Guillac), village 1000m l/b
PK 152.1     Lock 32 (Carmenais)
PK 153.7     Bridge (Saint-Gobrien)
PK 154.1     Lock 33 (Clan)
PK 155.3     Railway bridge (disused)
PK 155.6     Lock 34 (Saint-Jouan), bridge
PK 157.3     Lock 35 (Josselin), visitor centre and facilities

Chateau of Josselin
The Renaissance-style ‘Château des Rohan’, completed in 1520,
commands the river Oust in Josselin, PK 157.3 © John Riddel/Editions du Breil

PK 157.4     Josselin quay, moorings l/b under château des Rohan for 10 boats, water, shower, village 300m l/b
PK 157.7     Bridge (Sainte-Croix)
PK 158.4     Lock 36 (Beaufort) in short lock-cut l/b
PK 158.8     Bridge
PK 159.7     Motorway bridge (N24)
PK 159.8     Lock 37 (Caradec) in short lock-cut l/b, bridge
PK 161.4     Lock 38 (Rouvray)
PK 163.1     Lock 39 (Bocneuf)
PK 164.6     Bridge (D764)
PK 164.7     Bridge (Bocneuf)
PK 165.6     Lock 40 (Pomeleuc) in lock-cut r/b
PK 165.9     Lock 41 (Tertraie), bridge
PK 167.2      Lock 42 (Tertraie), permanently open, bridge, navigation re-enters Oust
PK 169.8     Lock 43 (Cadoret) in short lock-cut r/b, bridge
PK 170.9     Lock 44 (Lié) in lock-cut r/b
PK 171.2     Access to Les Forges harbour, 800m l/b, pontoon, water
PK 172.4     Lock 45 (Griffet) in lock-cut l/b, bridge (Perrin)
PK 173.3     Lock 46 (Grenouillère)
PK 174.1     Navigation enters canal section l/b
PK 174.2     Lock 47 (Trévérend), bridge
PK 175.4     Lock 48 (Penhouët), bridge
PK 176.4     Lock 49 (Lille), bridge
PK 178.4     Lock 50 (Timadeuc), bridge, Timadeuc abbey 600m l/b
PK 179.1     Navigation re-enters Oust
PK 180.5     Lock 51 (Quengo)
PK 181.4     Lock 52 (Rohan)
PK 181.5     Rohan bridge (Pont Notre-Dame), port de plaisance d/s r/b, 30 berths, water, electricity, showers, crane on request, slipway,  pump-out, village r/b
PK 181.9     Bridge (Pont d’Oust)
PK 182.3     Footbridge
PK 182.4     Saint-Samson port de plaisance r/b, village l/b
PK 183.6     Lock 53 (Saint-Samson) in lock-cut r/b, bridge
PK 184.2     Footbridge
PK 184.8     Lock 54 (Guer), bridge
PK 185.7     Navigation leaves Oust for last time, r/b
PK 185.8     Lock 55 (Coëtprat), bridge
PK 186.8     Lock 56 (Kermelin), bridge
PK 187.2     Lock 57 (Sablière)
PK 187.5     Lock 58 (Kériffe)
PK 187.8     Lock 59 (Boju), bridge, quay, Gueltas 1200m r/b
PK 188.0     Lock 60 (Parc-Coh)
PK 188.2     Lock 61 (Goiffre)
PK 188.5     Lock 62 (Goirball)
PK 188.8     Lock 63 (Guernogas)
PK 189.0     Lock 64 (Branguily)
PK 189.2     Lock 65 (Neau-Blanche)
PK 189.4     Lock 66 (Pont-Terre)
PK 189.5     Lock 67 (Forêt), bridge
PK 189.7     Lock 68 (Menn-Merle)
PK 189.9     Lock 69 (Toulhouët)
PK 190.1     Lock 70 (Ville-Perro)
PK 190.2     Lock 71 (Gouvly)
PK 190.4     Lock 72 (Saint-Gonnery), bridge
PK 190.6     Lock 73 (Kervezo)
PK 190.8     Lock 74 (Douaren)
PK 190.9     Lock 75 (Grand-Pré)
PK 191.1     Lock 76 (Hilvern), bridge, Saint-Gonnery 1500m l/b
PK 191.2     Lock 77 (Pépinière)
PK 191.4     Lock 78 (Bel-Air), beginning of summit level, Hilvern feeder (disused) enters canal
PK 193.5     Motorway bridge (D768)
PK 194.9     Bridge (Brou)
PK 195.6     Quay (Saint-Gérand)
PK 196.3     Lock 79 (Kéroret), end of summit level, bridge, Saint-Gérand 700m l/b
PK 196.4     Lock 80 (Er Houët)
PK 196.5     Lock 81 (Kérivy)
PK 196.7     Lock 82 (Parc er Lann)
PK 196.8     Lock 83 (Kerihoué)
PK 196.9     Lock 84 (Parc Lann Bihan)
PK 197.1     Lock 85 (Lann Vras)
PK 197.2     Lock 86 (Parc Buisson)
PK 197.3     Lock 87 (Couëdic), bridge
PK 198.2     Bridge (Kergouët)
PK 199.1     Railway bridge
PK 199.4     Lock 88 (Joli-Cœur)
PK 199.8     Lock 89 (Parc-Lann-Hir)
PK 199.9     Lock 90 (Parc-Lann-Ergo)
PK 200.0     Lock 91 (Parc-Bihan)
PK 200.1     Lock 92 (Kerponer)
PK 200.3     Lock 93 (Restériard)
PK 200.4     Lock 94 (Tri-parc-lann-favilette)
PK 200.6     Lock 95 (Parc-bras)
PK 200.7     Lock 96 (Ros), bridge
PK 200.8     Lock 97 (Guerlaunay)
PK 201.1     Lock 98 (Bohumet)
PK 201.3     Lock 99 (Kervégan), bridge
PK 202.0     Lock 100 (Tren-deur-ros)
PK 202.3     Lock 101 (Kerveno)
PK 202.8     Lock 102 (Parc-Lann-hoarem)
PK 203.5     Lock 103 (Haie), bridge
PK 204.0     Lock 104 (Villeneuve)
PK 204.5     Lock 105 (Kerdudaval)
PK 205.1     Lock 106 (Kervert)
PK 205.5     Lock 107 (Ponteau), bridge
PK 205.9     Pontivy, junction with Canal du Blavet, quays, town centre 400m
PK 206.0     Bridge
PK 207.1     Lock 108 (Cascade)
PK 209.4     Lock 109 (Guernal)
PK 212.2     Lock 110 (Porzo)
PK 213.6     Bridge (Lenvos), Neuillac 1500m l/b
PK 214.5     Lock 111 (Trescleff)
PK 216.6     Lock 112 (Auquinian)
PK 218.7     Lock 113 (Stumo), bridge
PK 220.4     Lock 114 (Boloré), bridge
PK 221.8     Navigation enters canal section l/b
PK 222.0     Lock 115 (Saint-Samson)
PK 222.4     Lock 116 (Poulhibet), bridge
PK 223.9     Lock 117 (Kergoric), bridge
PK 224.3     Lock 118 (Quénécan), bridge, quay, Saint-Aignan 1000m r/b, Mûr-de-Bretagne 3000m l/b

Guerlédan bypass
PK 225.4     Navigation enters compensating basin r/b
PK 226.0     Downstream ramp of incline and boat elevator just d/s of lock 119 (Guerlédan)
PK 226.8     Incline at the level of the crest of Guerlédan dam
PK 227.0     Upstream ramp of incline and boat elevator

Middle section, Guerlédan to Mellionec
PK 227.0     Downstream limit of navigation on reservoir, site of future boat transfer ramp
PK 227.3     Entrance to arm (Anse de Landroanec) l/b
PK 230.3     Mooring for trip boat l/b
PK 230.0     Camp site, beach and moorings in entrance to arm l/b

Coat Natous lock
Coat-Natous double staircase lock © Kader Benferhat

PK 231.8     Entrance to arm (Anse de Sordan) r/b, pontoon moorings, 15 berths, showers at camp site, slipway, restaurant
PK 237.1     Lock 137 (Les Forges)
PK 239.1     Lock 138 (Bon-Repos), bridge, Bon-Repos abbey ruins d/s l/b
PK 240.9     Lock 139 (Saint-Hervé)
PK 243.7     Canal enters the river Dore
PK 243.6     Bridge
PK 244.0     Gouarec bridge, village l/b
PK 244.1     Lock 140 (Gouarec)
PK 246.3     Lock 141 (Kerlouët)
PK 247.5     Plélauff bridge, village r/b
PK 247.6     Lock 142 (Plélauff)
PK 250.0     Lock 143 (Guendol)
PK 250.8     Lock 144 (Pont-Even), bridge (D764)
PK 252.0     Lock 145 (Kerlan)
PK 252.2     Double lock 146 (Coat-Natous)
PK 252.4     La Pitié chapel r/b, moorings, current limit of navigation

Section to be restored
Will be in the PDF for reference

Canal de Nantes a Brest Aulne Waterway

Western section, Goariva to Châteaulin
PK 279.1     Goariva bridge (D83), limit of départements of Finistère and Côtes d’Armor
PK 279.4     Lock 192 (Goariva)
PK 280.1     Lock 193 (Kervoulédic)
PK 280.5     Lock 194 (Prat-ar-Born)
PK 280.8     Bridge
PK 281.0     Lock 195 (Pellerm)
PK 281.7     Lock 196 (Kergouthis)
PK 282.4     Lock 197 (Pont d’Auvlas)
PK 282.6     Bridge, Carhaix-Plouguer 3000m r/b
PK 283.2     Lock 198 (Rochaër)
PK 283.8     Lock 199 (L’Île)
PK 284.2     Bridge, basin d/s
PK 284.3     Lock 200 (Pont-ar-Brost)
PK 284.8     Former railway bridge
PK 284.9     Lock 201 (Kergaden)
PK 285.8     Lock 202 (Kerdugnès)
PK 286.3     Port-de-Carhaix bridge (D769), quay u/s l/b
PK 286.4     Bridge
PK 286.7     Lock 203 (Kergoat)Canal de Nantes a Brest Guerledan Dam
PK 287.3     Navigation enters canalised river Hyère
PK 287.6     Lock 204 (Coz-Castel), bridge (used by footpath GR 37)
PK 289.1     Lock 205 (Kergoff)
PK 291.2     Lock 206 (Stervallen)
PK 292.4     Bridge, Cléden-Poher 2300m r/b
PK 293.4     Lock 207 (Le Ster)
PK 295.7     Lock 208 (Lesnévez)
PK 297.2     Lock 209 (Pont-Triffen)
PK 297.3     Bridge (D17), Landeleau 2500m r/b
PK 297.3     Confluence with river Aulne (canalised from this point), ‘Maison du Canal’ interpretation centre r/b, moorings, water, slipway
PK 299.1     Lock 210 (Pénity)
PK 301.7     Lock 211 (Roz-ar-Gaouen)
PK 303.3     Lock 212 (Méros)
PK 305.3     Lock 213 (Rosily)
PK 307.3     Lock 214 (Lanmeur)
PK 307.6     Bridge (Pont du Stang, D117)
PK 309.9     Lock 215 (Voaquer)
PK 310.2     Bridge, Saint-Goazec 1000m l/b
PK 311.8     Lock 216 (Moustoir)
PK 314.5     Lock 217 (Boudrac’h)
PK 316.3     Lock 218 (Bizernic)
PK 316.8     Châteauneuf-du-Faou bridges (Pont du Roy and new bridge), quay u/s r/b, port de plaisance, water, showers
PK 316.9     Port de plaisance l/b, Aulne Loisirs Plaisance hire base, night €5, fuel (on demand), shower, crane, repairs, restaurant
PK 318.0     Lock 219 (Châteauneuf)
PK 319.9     Lock 220 (Kerboaret)
PK 321.8     Lock 221 (Kersalig)
PK 322.4     Bridge (Pont-Pol-ty-Glas)
PK 322.7     Bridge (D72)
PK 325.6     Lock 222 (Prat-Pourrig)
PK 328.2     Lock 223 (Ménez)
PK 329.7     Pont-ar-c’hlan quay r/b
PK 330.9     Lock 224 (Rosvéguen)
PK 331.9     Bridges (D41), moorings d/s r/b, water
PK 334.2     Lock 225 (Buzit)
PK 336.3     Lock 226 (Saint-Algon)
PK 336.8     Pont-Coblant bridge, quay u/s l/b, water, electricity, shower, slipway, village l/b
PK 338.1     Lock 227 (Stéréon)
PK 340.9     Lock 228 (Coat-Pont)
PK 343.4     Lock 229 (Lothey)
PK 345.7     Lock 230 (Trésiguidy)
PK 348.7     Lock 231 (Le Guillec)
PK 350.6     Lock 232 (Aulne), quay u/s r/b, water, shower, slipway
PK 351.8     Main road bridge (N165)
PK 353.4     Lock 233 (Prat-Hir)
PK 356.2     Lock 234 (Toularodo)
PK 357.8     Lock 235 (Coatigrac’h)
PK 360.0     Châteaulin bridge
PK 360.4     Lock 236 (Châteaulin), bridge, quay /s r/b, night €6, water, electricity,  shower €2

The tidal river leads via Port Launay, just 2 km beyond Châteaulin, with 800m of quayside moorings (water, electricity, shower, slipway, to Brest. The estuary opens into the Brest roadstead at Landévennec (29km), while the total distance to Brest is 51km.

River Aff
PK 0.0     Junction with Canal de Nantes à Brest  (PK 105.2)
PK 0.7     Access to Glénac, basin, quays, Bretagne Fluviale hire base, 5 berths, water, slipway
PK 2.0     Bridge
PK 4.9     Bridge
PK 8.3     La Gacilly bridge, head of navigation, quays r/b, 10 berths, water, electricity, slipway

River Erdre branch
PK 0.0     Junction with Canal de Nantes à Brest d/s of lock 2 (Quiheix)
PK 5.0     Quay (Port Mulan) r/b
PK 6.0     Nort-sur-Erdre bridge, head of navigation, quay, Le Boat hire base and municipal port de plaisance, 38 berths (6 for visitors), 2 nights free then €13, water, electricity, showers €2, crane on request, slipway, repairs, village r/b

Cruises+Vacations

Cruises, holidays and vacations on the Canal de Nantes à Brest (eastern section)

hotel barges france

HOTEL BARGE CRUISES

Hotel barges are elegant and supremely comfortable, converted from traditional vessels or created as cruising boutique hotels from new. You’ll experience the smoothest of relaxing week-long vacations in high style looked after by an expert captain, professional masterchef, knowledgeable local excursions guide and attentive English-speaking cabin staff.

self-drive canal boat rental france

SELF-DRIVE CANAL BOAT VACATIONS

Hiring your own cruising boat is an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the French waterways have to offer. Hire boats come in different sizes, to suit a couple, a family or you and your friends, and your ‘hands on the wheel’ holiday can be arranged from start to finish by any of the reputable companies to be found on french-waterways.com.

Base locations map – Brittany

Guides+Downloads