At the end of the Summer, we spent a week navigating the Vilaine River and Canal Nante Brest with Le Boat. Clocking up 37 engine hours and over 238km of waterways. We saw and did a lot on our seven-night break. When I was doing some research for our trip I was not sure how long it would take to reach the places that we wanted to visit. So I thought I would share our route and rough timings. To help plan your own route down the Canal de Nantes a Brest. You may also find our tips for boating in Brittany useful.
The Waterways Guide – Brittany & Vilaine River
Included in this post you will see several photos showing you the route we took. They have been taken directly out of the Waterways Guide. This was given to us by our boat provider and allows you to navigate the canal and river with ease. Showing you where the locks are, where you can moor and most importantly the facilities available. It also has 1km markers which can help you to identify how far you have travelled and therefore how likely it will take you to get to your next destination. Especially since our boat did not have a speedometer.
Day One – Messac to Pont de Beste
We picked our boat up from Le Boat in Messac. The Messac Le Boat base is around 1.5km out of the town. As we had already been staying in Benodet for a week we had the car. It is around five and a half hours from Calais. There is also a train station in the town and the nearest airport is Rennes which is 27.6km away.
Once we had settled into our boat and undergone the technical briefing we left Messac shortly after five. The first lock is only five minutes outside of the base thankfully we had a bit of help with our first one from our Le Boat technician. But then we were on our own. We managed the second lock and headed towards xx. This had been our intended stop for the night and was recommended to us by our boat technician.
Night time cruising is forbidden and you should not be on the waterways in the dark or after 8.30 pm. So we stopped at Pont de Beste around 8 pm as we did not fee we would reach xx. Turned out to be a good mooring. As although there are no services there is a campsite with a play area that had a food truck the night we visited. There is also a small bakery a few minutes walk into the town that does delicious cakes as well as plenty of choice when it comes to fresh bread. It opened at 7 a.m. We visited around 7:30 a.m. and were treated to some otters playing on the way back to the boat.
You are also very close to the village of Langon which is a couple of kilometres away. We did not visit as we wanted to press onto Redon. If you want then you could visit the Château de la Touche. This beautiful castle is located in the heart of Langon and dates back to the 16th century. It’s surrounded by a moat and a beautiful park, making it a great place to take a stroll.
Day Two – Pont de Beste to Redon
Although up early we breakfasted late since the boys wanted to try out their rods. This meant we did not leave until 10.30 am. We did notice that many of the other boats were away much earlier than us. Which does seem to be the way. Thankfully on the river, you are not constrained by lock timings. So we headed onto Redon and there were no locks in between Pont de Beste and Redon. We enjoyed watching the dragonflies and so many kingfishers and even passed several stork nests.
We had already decided that we would stay overnight in Redon Harbour. It has space for 16 visiting boats. To secure a birth you should ring ahead and speak to the Capitalie (Harbour Master). We did this about midday forgetting that they shut between 12.30 pm and 2 pm for lunch. We had intended on stopping. You could stop at xx which has plenty of shaded green space and a place to eat. Although there is only mooring for around three boats, it was full when we passed.
Redon Harbour
There are several other places to stop before you reach Redon, although we ended up going straight to the port. Although the harbour office was closed we moored up along the mooring outside the office. The boys fished until the office opened and we paid the 29€ to moor. This gave us access to water, electricity, the bins and a really clean shower block, Which I was most impressed with. The cost is dependant on the size of the boat. One of our neighbours paid 42€ for a 13.7m. boat. This was the only place we paid during our visit.
Once settled and plugged in we headed into Redon to visit the visitor centres. Most places we visited had a tourist information office which is a useful place to stop to pick up some information on points of interest and things to see. We returned to the boat and ate on board, finding many of the restaurants closed. This is to be expected on a Tuesday and the fact that Redon has a very short tourist season. There are plenty of shops and also a U Express to pick up essentials.
Read more about – Things to do in Redon
Day Three – Redon to Manisfont
We intentionally left Redon later in the day. Although I did get up to see the sunrise across the harbour which is really beautiful. After making use of the shower facilities we wanted to visit the market. As market day is on a Monday in Redon. It runs in the square near to the Abbey. Although we were a little disappointed as much was typical market tat. However, we did find the food market which is undercover. It looks as though this is open all year round. With lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, cheese and all manner of delicacies to tempt you.
After exploring we eventually left Redon around 10.20 am. To exit the harbour you need to go through the port lock which is quite an experience. Since it is combined with road bridges. Which is raised as you go through. There is a glass tower so the lock keeper can see you approaching and any other boats. Since this is where the Vilaine River joins the Canal Nante Brest. It is a tight turn initially and you pass into a section of the canal which is very narrow. However, it is not long until it opens out again and looks more like a river.
The afternoon..
We passed through xx locks arriving at Le Pont d’ Oust at 1.45 pm. Here we decided to stop for lunch and the boys did a bit of fishing again. There is also a restaurant should you wish not to eat on your boat. We were here for 45 minutes.
Before setting off again to Manisfont. Just before lock 19 you have the option to take an alternative route and head towards La Gacilly up the Vilaine River. Instead, we decided to continue towards Manisfont and pick up La Gacilly on our way back should we have time. We were a bit pushed for time as we wanted to ensure that we would be able to moor at Manisfont. Having heard it was a popular stop. We eventually arrived at 6.30 pm having passed through xxx6 locks.
The town is beautiful with a compact centre and several bars and restaurants. There is also a Carrefour Express. We ate on the boat again and the boys fished some more.
Read more – Things to do in Manisfont
Day Four – Manisfont to Josselin
One of the biggest attractions on the Canal de Nantes a Brest is the town of Josselin with its beautiful half-timbered buildings and the stunning Josselin Chateau. We anticipated that it would be popular and so wanted to arrive mid-afternoon to ensure we could moor. The locks do not open until 9.15 am and there is one in the middle of Manisfont which was only a few minutes from where we had moored. Keen to get away we arrived at that lock at 9.15 am! Meaning that we had done two locks before 10 a.m. and reached the third by 10.30 a.m.
At midday, we passed through lock number 30. The rest of the locks from this point to Josselin are manual. I would anticipate that a manual lock adds about ten minutes. They are also more inclined to wait to see if there is another boat to go through the locks with you, along these canal sections. Our lock keeper rang through to the lock 31 to see if they would let us pass.
Even though we would have reached lock 31 ahead of 12.30 p.m. We were told that it would be shut for lunch. After all it is down to the lock master’s discretion. We had to wait to get through 31 so did 5 morning and 5 afternoon. Passing through 31 at 2 pm arriving in Josselin at 4 pm. This gave us plenty of time to explore and have dinner.
Read More – Travel Guide – 10 Things to do in Josselin
Day Five – Josselin to Manisfont
We wanted to look around Josselin Chateau before starting on our return leg. There is a super U which is around a twenty-minute walk away. The walk takes you through the village and gave me the chance to stock up on some essentials. So that I did not need to worry about hunting out another supermarket on our way back.
The Chateau opened at 10 a.m. We looked around the gardens and state rooms and marvelled at the views across the town and down the Canal de Nantes a Brest. You do not need more than an hour unless you want to do one of the guided tours. We left Josselin at 11 a.m. and knew that we may have a challenge getting back to Manisfont due to the locks that were on the wrong side of the mooring spots. We managed three locks before we were forced to stop for lunch, mooring in exactly the same spot as we did on the way up.
lunchtime…
If you manage to get away from Josselin earlier then I would suggest trying to reach xx for lunch. Since there is a small village right next to the canal and a church which is typical of the area. We did not stay long for lunch as the boys caught fish quickly. It took us three and a half hours to go through from lock 32 to 25. Albeit 27 is no longer an operational lock more just a tight squeeze. This meant we arrived in Manisfont at 5.30 pm.
We had planned to eat in the town but unfortunately, many of the restaurants did not have space. Despite being practically empty. So it does pay to reserve in advance if there is somewhere you would like to eat. Instead, we ate on the boat. The boys caught a catfish and we enjoyed front-row seats to the blue moon.
Read More – Visiting Josselin Chateau
Day Six – Manisfont to La Gacilly
Instead of taking a slow journey back to Messac we decided to try and visit La Gacilly. Since it has been recommended to us as a must-see location on the Canal de Nantes a Brest. This meant we needed to leave Manisfont early at 9.15 a.m. to make sure we could get through the locks. Again early morning while drinking tea and enjoying the peace and quiet which very rarely comes when travelling with kids. I was joined by the local coypu population. There is something really lovely about watching these animals swim around.
We decided not to stop for long for lunch reaching Pont d’ Oust around midday and then timing our departure to make sure we arrived at lock 19 at 2 pm when they reopened. Lock 19 is the gateway to the Vilaine River. Instead of heading back toward Redon we headed up the Vilaine River towards La Gacilly. As part of this journey, you pass through a wide area that looks more like a nature reserve. With lots of bird life, it is truly beautiful. It also lulls you into a false sense of security. Since you turn off to La Gacilly you sail into a narrow river flanked on both side by reed beds.
Arriving at La Gacilly
This quickly gives way to a waterway surrounded by woodland. We were advised that it would take about an hour to navigate up to La Gacilly. But it took us closer to an hour and a half but this was because we slowed right down due to the narrow river. We ended up mooring at La Gacilly at around 3.40 pm. Thankfully there were a number of bays so we had no problem and hooked up to electrics and water at no cost.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring the village which is made of traditional grey stone. There are flowers everywhere and so much to see.
Read more – Things to do in La Gacilly
Day Seven – La Gacilly to Messac
We spent our last day sailing from La Gacilly to Messac. Broadly unconstrained by locks as we were on the Vilaine River we left at 8 am with the intention of reaching Redon around 11 am. So that we did not need to worry about the locks closing over lunch. As once through Redon the only other locks that we needed to pass through were close to our port of Messac. We arrived at port around 4 p.m. and got the boat ready for the change over. The boys fished, we ate dinner and packed up for the early morning departure. Since we needed to be out by 9 am.
Have you visited the Vilaine River or the Canal de Nantes a Brest? Did you take an alternative route? I would love to hear about your experience in navigating the canal sections in the comments below.
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