The canal from Nantes to Brest, France

The « canal de Nantes à Brest »

The Canal de Nantes à Brest is a long canal with small sizes which connects the cities of Nantes and Brest. The canal is 364 km long. Eight streams called « Rigole Alimentaire » or « Petit canal » are channeled to feed him, becoming the ramifications of a rather surprising Breton navigable network. The canal is composed of 238”écluses” which boats take to move forward. You can walk, ride your bike, ride your horse along the canal or you can have a boat cruise on the canal.

                  

The construction of the canal began in 1811, but the works really began in 1824 after the exile of Napoléon, The works were difficult and ended in 1842 with the construction of 237 “écluses”. The arrival of the railroad and cars after the First World War made the canal less used. In 1923 the construction of the read block of Gueledan finished the era of the sea transport between Nantes and Brest.

            

Today, the horses of towing have left place to fishermen, walkers and sportspeople. The canal does not open its locks any more except for the amateurs of canoes or kayaks, the sailors on barges, sailboats or motorized boats, the industrial and commercial tool having changed into tourist axis.

             

Clarisse