You can cross Brittany from north to south or south to north between St Malo and the barrage at Arzal. Allow at least eight days. For more technical information, please visit our Manche-Océan Canal page.
Although navigation is possible from north to south, unfortunately, you cannot go from east to west on Nantes to Brest canal because of the dam at Guerlédan. You can sail from Nantes to Pontivy and then continue south on the Blavet to Lorient. Going north, you can continue for about 20 kilometres to Guerlédan where the dam cuts the canal.
Navigation is possible on the Guerlédan lake and you can take the canal from there as far as the double lock of Coat-Natous, near the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Pitié in Mellionnec in the Côtes d’Armor. From this point to the Goariva lock at Carhaix in Finistère, the canal is inaccessible to pleasure craft. However, it is a great route for canoeists and kayakers, especially in the Créharer lock staircase at Glomel in the Côtes d’Armor.
In Finistère, you can navigate as far as the last lock at Guily-Glaz and possibly beyond if your vessel is suitable. However, please note that on this section of the Nantes-Brest canal, there are no lockkeepers so you will have to operate them.