The Nantes–Brest canal (French: Canal de Nantes à Brest, French pronunciation:[kanaldənɑ̃tabʁɛst]; Breton: Kanol Naoned-Brest) is a French canal which links the two seaports of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany. It was built in the early 19th century, and its total length as built was 385 km with 238 locks.
Nantes–Brest Canal
Lock in the disused part of the Nantes–Brest Canal
Brittany started developing its waterway network in 1538 when it decided to improve navigation on the River Vilaine. The project for a canal throughout the province was conceived by an 'inland navigation commission' convened in 1783. When Brest was blockaded by the English fleet, Napoleon decided to build the canal to provide a safe inland link between the two largest military ports of the French Atlantic front.[1] Building started in 1811, and Napoleon III presided over the canal's opening in 1858.[2]
This was the most ambitious canal project ever completed in France, 360km long with 238 locks. The canal was closed as a through route in 1920, when a section was submerged by Guerlédan dam (PK 227), a short distance west of the junction with the canalised river Blavet at Pontivy. The dam was supposed to be equipped with ladder of locks, receiving for this a significant subsidy from the state but this was never done. 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.[3]
The canal has been revived and ownership has been transferred from the State to Brittany Region, except for the short length in Pays de la Loire region.
Navigationedit
Navigation is no longer possible between Pontivy and Goariva. Guerlédan reservoir flooded the canal over a length of 10 km including 17 locks.[3] However, a length of 15 km with 10 locks has been restored upstream of Guerlédan reservoir to the heritage site of La Pitié Chapel, creating a navigation 25 km long, and a public consultation was held in 2017 with a view to lifting the ban on thermal engines on this section.[4]
Three separate navigable sections are thus presented in the route below.
The Nantes-Brest Cyclepath.edit
Though the break in the canal around Glomel has closed it for commercial navigation the canal towpath has seen a dramatic increase in its use by cyclists. The towpath/cyclepath has now been surfaced to a good standard – some tarmac but mostly crushed stone bed – so that all but racing bikes can use it with ease. This use is not simply day rides, but an ever increasing number of people on cycling holidays frequently taking in the whole Nantes-Brest section.
This has been fuelled by the creation of long-distance cycle routes throughout Europe and the canal forms the beginning of the EuroVelo (EV) EV1 Atlantic Coast route which runs to Spain and Portugal. The French section of which is known as the La Vélodyssée and which is now the most popular of all the French long-distance cyclepaths. It also links in with the EV6 Atlantic to Black Sea. The effect of this increase in tourism has been profound for central Brittany, and an area less known for tourism than the Brittany coast has had an influx of cyclists with the result that towns and villages on or near the canal have seen an welcome increase in income, number of shops, restaurants, hotels and campsites after many years of slow decline.[5]
En Routeedit
Canal de Nantes à Brest (East)edit
Pontivy to Nantes 206 km via 107 locks (using successively the rivers Erdre, Isac, Vilaine and Oust)[3]
^ abcEdwards-May, David (2010). Inland Waterways of France. St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. pp. 169–178. ISBN978-1-846230-14-1.
^Association Amis du Canal 22. "Consultation publique sur la navigation de la section Costamoricaine du Canal de Nantes à Brest".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Husband, Geoff. "Cycling the Nantes-Brest Canal". www.bretonbikes.com. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
External linksedit
Canal de Nantes à Brest with information on places, ports and moorings on the canal, by the author of Inland Waterways of France, Imray
Navigation details for 80 French rivers and canals (French waterways website section)
April 27, 2024
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The Nantes Brest canal French Canal de Nantes a Brest French pronunciation kanal de nɑ t a bʁɛst Breton Kanol Naoned Brest is a French canal which links the two seaports of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany It was built in the early 19th century and its total length as built was 385 km with 238 locks Nantes Brest CanalLock in the disused part of the Nantes Brest CanalSpecificationsLength385 km 239 mi Maximum boat length25 70 mMaximum boat beam4 65 mLocks107 45 in Finistere section originally 238 Total rise555 m 1 821 ft StatusOpen except for two breaks Goariva to La Pitie Guerledan Dam to PontivyHistoryOriginal ownerState in 1811 Canal Company of Brittany in 1822Date approved1802Construction began1811 start failed and began again in 1822Date completed1836GeographyStart pointBrest FranceEnd pointNantesConnects toLoire Maritime Vilaine Blavet Contents 1 History 2 Navigation 3 The Nantes Brest Cyclepath 4 En Route 4 1 Canal de Nantes a Brest East 4 2 Guerledan La Pitie section 4 3 Finistere or western section 4 4 Tidal river Aulne and roadstead of port of Brest 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editBrittany started developing its waterway network in 1538 when it decided to improve navigation on the River Vilaine The project for a canal throughout the province was conceived by an inland navigation commission convened in 1783 When Brest was blockaded by the English fleet Napoleon decided to build the canal to provide a safe inland link between the two largest military ports of the French Atlantic front 1 Building started in 1811 and Napoleon III presided over the canal s opening in 1858 2 This was the most ambitious canal project ever completed in France 360km long with 238 locks The canal was closed as a through route in 1920 when a section was submerged by Guerledan dam PK 227 a short distance west of the junction with the canalised river Blavet at Pontivy The dam was supposed to be equipped with ladder of locks receiving for this a significant subsidy from the state but this was never done The entire length of waterway west of Guerledan was officially closed in 1957 and the 21km length from Pontivy to Guerledan 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 3 The canal has been revived and ownership has been transferred from the State to Brittany Region except for the short length in Pays de la Loire region Navigation editNavigation is no longer possible between Pontivy and Goariva Guerledan reservoir flooded the canal over a length of 10 km including 17 locks 3 However a length of 15 km with 10 locks has been restored upstream of Guerledan reservoir to the heritage site of La Pitie Chapel creating a navigation 25 km long and a public consultation was held in 2017 with a view to lifting the ban on thermal engines on this section 4 Three separate navigable sections are thus presented in the route below The Nantes Brest Cyclepath editThough the break in the canal around Glomel has closed it for commercial navigation the canal towpath has seen a dramatic increase in its use by cyclists The towpath cyclepath has now been surfaced to a good standard some tarmac but mostly crushed stone bed so that all but racing bikes can use it with ease This use is not simply day rides but an ever increasing number of people on cycling holidays frequently taking in the whole Nantes Brest section This has been fuelled by the creation of long distance cycle routes throughout Europe and the canal forms the beginning of the EuroVelo EV EV1 Atlantic Coast route which runs to Spain and Portugal The French section of which is known as the La Velodyssee and which is now the most popular of all the French long distance cyclepaths It also links in with the EV6 Atlantic to Black Sea The effect of this increase in tourism has been profound for central Brittany and an area less known for tourism than the Brittany coast has had an influx of cyclists with the result that towns and villages on or near the canal have seen an welcome increase in income number of shops restaurants hotels and campsites after many years of slow decline 5 En Route editCanal de Nantes a Brest East edit Pontivy to Nantes 206 km via 107 locks using successively the rivers Erdre Isac Vilaine and Oust 3 PK 2 Nantes PK 15 Suce sur Erdre PK 21 Left turn onto the Erdre River at Nort sur Erdre PK 42 5 La Chevallerais PK 50 Blain PK 95 Redon PK 132 Malestroit PK 157 5 Josselin PK 182 Rohan PK 191 3 Saint Gonnery begins the 5 km summit level PK 205 9 Pontivy junction with the river Blavet Navigation interrupted from Pontivy to Guerledan dam Guerledan La Pitie section edit PK 226 8 Guerledan dam PK 252 4 La Pitie Finistere or western section edit PK 81 Goariva PK 73 Port de Carhaix end of canal section navigation enters canalized river Hyeres PK 63 Maison du Canal at confluence of Hyeres and Aulne rivers PK 43 5 Chateauneuf du Faou PK 0 Chateaulin Tidal river Aulne and roadstead of port of Brest edit PK 0 Chateaulin PK 29 Landevennec PK 32 5 Mouth of Aulne River PK 51 Roadstead of Brest Brest Harbor Brest BaySee also editList of canals in FranceReferences edit Association Canaux de Bretagne 2012 Un peu d histoire brief history McKnight Hugh 2005 Cruising French Waterways 4th Edition Sheridan House ISBN 978 1574092103 a b c Edwards May David 2010 Inland Waterways of France St Ives Cambs UK Imray pp 169 178 ISBN 978 1 846230 14 1 Association Amis du Canal 22 Consultation publique sur la navigation de la section Costamoricaine du Canal de Nantes a Brest a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Husband Geoff Cycling the Nantes Brest Canal www bretonbikes com Retrieved 2023 12 07 External links editCanal de Nantes a Brest with information on places ports and moorings on the canal by the author of Inland Waterways of France Imray Navigation details for 80 French rivers and canals French waterways website section Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nantes Brest canal amp oldid 1189945035, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
