The Nantes-Brest Canal A Guide for Boaters in Finistère Welcome to the Nantes-Brest Canal With nearly 100km of waterway punctuated by 46 locks, the Nantes-Brest Canal offers you an exceptional passage through nature in the heart of Finistère. Within Finistère, the canal harnesses the water-courses of the Aulne, the Hyères and the Kergoat.
Since 1996 the Department of Finistère has • The eastern section, 80km in length, managed the canal in Finistère with the help of stretches between Châteaulin and the Côtes the Syndicat mixte d’aménagement touristique d’Armor border. It belongs to the State, de l’Aulne et de l’Hyères (SMATAH). Part of the which has granted the management to the public waterways system, the canal is divided Department of Finistère since 1966. In this into two sections in this department. section, the Department has been working on the development of a cycle-route on the • The western section, 22km in length, runs towpath between Carhaix and Châteaulin since between Rosnoën and Châteaulin. It is owned 2012. by Brittany’s regional government, which has granted the management to the Department of The provisions presented in this booklet are for Finistère since 1990. In this sector in 2006, the the purpose of information. Boaters are encou- Department constructed the mobile barrage raged to familiarize themselves with the full text of Guily-Glaz as part of anti-flood measures for of the prefectorial decree N°2014-239-0001 of the communes of Châteaulin and Port Launay. August 27th 2014, which is available at Lock It is also in charge of the technical functioning Guily-Glaz or for download from the Department of the canal. of Finistère’s website.
2 The Nantes-Brest Canal
HISTORY OF THE CANAL cut channels (Bout de Bois: 19,83m, Hilvern: 128,71m, Tranchée de Glomel: 183,85m) and In 1538 the Parliament of Brittany decided to create 237 locks for a total length of 360kms… make the Vilaine navigable from Rennes to Spanish prisoners of war, army deserters and Messac, allowing the first fluvial link from the prisoners from the gaol in Brest, peasants, Breton capital to Redon from 1585 and on to women and children slaved for years over all the Bay of Biscay by the tidal Vilaine. It was this. The Nantes-Brest Canal was completed for not until 1783 when a Commission of Interior through navigation in 1842. Navigation was established that the earliest projects for navigation between Nantes and Breton boatmen exploited the commercial po- Brest began. tential of this waterway with the transport of merchandise within the region. The building of Construction work on the canal started in 1804 roads and development of the railway were to under the Empire for strategic reasons, with mark the decline of transport via the canal. The the renewal of hostilities with England and the construction of the hydro-electric dam at Guer- Continental blockade. The superiority of the lédan during the 1930s separated the sections English fleet on the high seas forced Napoleon in Finistère and Côtes d’Armor from the rest of 1st to ensure that the arsenals of Brest and the network. Lorient were supplied by an internal waterway, linked with the Loire via Nantes. The canal seemed doomed, but during the last twenty years its appeal for tourism has provi- Works on a Herculean scale were required ded a new economic, social and environmental to join four river basins (Loire, Vilaine, Blavet, energy. Aulne), eight rivers (Erdre, Isac, Oust, Blavet, Kergoat, Dore, Hyères, Aulne), construct three 3 Usages liés au canal de Nantes à Brest (section nistérienne)
Club nautique Voies cyclables Capacité d'accueil touristique Location uviale Sentiers de randonnées (GR® et PR®) Nombre de lits touristiques par communes inscrits au Plan départemental des Prise d'eau pour l'alimentation itinéraires de promenades et de randonnées 100 à 200 en eau potable Route départementale 200 à 500 Écluse/nom des écluses Route nationale 500 à 1000 Canal de Nantes à Brest accessible Practices related to the Nantes-Brest Canalà la plaisance uviale en Finistère Limite communale 1000 à 1667
N 0 10 20 km PONT-DE-BUIS- Tréziguion Lesnévez Coz Castel Kervouledic Coat Pont Stervalen Le Pellerm LES-QUIMERCH Rozvéguen Pont Trien Lothey Stéréon Pénity Roc'h Kaer Le Guillec Nénez L'île ROSNOEN Guili Glaz Prat Pouric Meros Coat Pont Rosily Voaquer CARHAIX-PLOUGUER SAINT-SEGAL Stéréon Goariva PLEYBEN LANDELEAU
PLONEVEZ- PORT-LAUNAY CLEDEN-POHER DU-FAOU DINEAULT Moustoir Bizernic CHATEAULIN Châteauneuf Kersalic LLEENNNNOONN CHATEAUNEUF- DU-FAOU MOTREFF SAINT-COULITZ LOTHEY SAINT-HERNIN
Prat ar Born GOUEZEC SPEZET Kergoutois Châteaulin Pont d'Aulvas Coatigrac'h Pont ar Bros Toul ar Rodo SSAAIINNTT--TTHHOOIISS Kergaden Prat Hir Saint Algon Kerdugnes Aulne Le Guillec SAINT-GOAZEC Vuzid Boudrac'h Kergoat Trés iguidi Aulne LAZ 0 2 4 km Kerbaoure Lanneur Roz ar Gaouen Le Stêr Kerglo < Distance and difference in level between locks
Elevation 4 Usages liés au canal de Nantes à Brest (section nistérienne)
Club nautique Voies cyclables Capacité d'accueil touristique Location uviale Sentiers de randonnées (GR® et PR®) Nombre de lits touristiques par communes inscrits au Plan départemental des Prise d'eau pour l'alimentation itinéraires de promenades et de randonnées 100 à 200 en eau potable Route départementale 200 à 500 Écluse/nom des écluses Route nationale 500 à 1000 Canal de Nantes à Brest accessible à la plaisance uviale en Finistère(Finistère Lsector)imite communale 1000 à 1667
N 0 10 20 km PONT-DE-BUIS- Tréziguion Lesnévez Coz Castel Kervouledic Coat Pont Stervalen Le Pellerm LES-QUIMERCH Rozvéguen Pont Trien Lothey Stéréon Pénity Roc'h Kaer Le Guillec Nénez L'île ROSNOEN Guili Glaz Prat Pouric Meros Coat Pont Rosily Voaquer CARHAIX-PLOUGUER SAINT-SEGAL Stéréon Goariva PLEYBEN LANDELEAU
PLONEVEZ- PORT-LAUNAY CLEDEN-POHER DU-FAOU DINEAULT Moustoir Bizernic CHATEAULIN Châteauneuf Kersalic LLEENNNNOONN CHATEAUNEUF- DU-FAOU MOTREFF SAINT-COULITZ LOTHEY SAINT-HERNIN
Prat ar Born GOUEZEC SPEZET Kergoutois Châteaulin Pont d'Aulvas Coatigrac'h Pont ar Bros Toul ar Rodo SSAAIINNTT--TTHHOOIISS Usages liés au canal de NaKnergtadeen s à Brest Prat Hir Saint Algon Kerdugnes Aulne Le Guillec SAINT-GOAZEC Vuzid Boudrac'h Kergoat Trés iguidi Aulne LAZ 0 2 4 km Kerbaoure (Lasnneurction Ro z anr GaisouentérieLne Stnêr e) Kerglo
NauticalYacht club club CycleBicycle routes path TouristTourism welcome accomodation capacity capacity Boat rental hire Footpaths (GR® and PR®) registered in the Hicking trails (GR® et PR®) Departmental Plan for walking and hiking routes 100100 toà 2 20000 WaterDrinking supply water pointintake DepartmentalCountry road highway 200200 toà 5 50000 Locks/NamesLock / Lock's name of locks NationalHighway highway 500500 toà 1 0100000 Accessibility of Nantes-Brest The Nantes-Brest Canal Commune boundary Canal for pleasure-boating Municpal boundary 10001000 àto 1 6166767
N 0 10 20 km PONT-DE-BUIS- Tréziguion Lesnévez Coz Castel Kervouledic Coat Pont Sterva5len Le Pellerm LES-QUIMERCH Rozvéguen Pont Trien Lothey Stéréon Pénity Roc'h Kaer Le Guillec Nénez L'île ROSNOEN Guili Glaz Prat Pouric Meros Coat Pont Rosily Voaquer CARHAIX-PLOUGUER SAINT-SEGAL Stéréon Goariva PLEYBEN LANDELEAU
PLONEVEZ- PORT-LAUNAY CLEDEN-POHER DU-FAOU DINEAULT Moustoir Bizernic CHATEAULIN Châteauneuf Kersalic LLEENNNNOONN CHATEAUNEUF- DU-FAOU MOTREFF SAINT-COULITZ LOTHEY SAINT-HERNIN
Prat ar Born GOUEZEC SPEZET Kergoutois Châteaulin Pont d'Aulvas Coatigrac'h Pont ar Bros Toul ar Rodo SSAAIINNTT--TTHHOOIISS Kergaden Prat Hir Saint Algon Kerdugnes Aulne Le Guillec SAINT-GOAZEC Vuzid Boudrac'h Kergoat Trés iguidi Aulne LAZ 0 2 4 km Kerbaoure Lanneur Roz ar Gaouen Le Stêr Kerglo Boating on the Canal The Nantes-Brest canal has been entirely navigable since 2006 thanks to the restoration of locks undertaken by the Department of Finistère and SMATAH. Today all the locks are operational and all boats with a draught of less than 1m can traverse the entire length in Finistère. Boats with a draught between 1m and 2.7m can only sail the reach of Guily-Glaz.
• Reduce the speed of the boat in passing PLEASE NOTE moored boats and anglers, and during crossing with another boat. Boats with a draught of more than 0.8m must be equipped with a depth sounder to sail securely on the canal. INFORMATION FOR SMOOTH NAVIGATION
• Navigation on the canal is unsupervised. INSTRUCTIONS TO ENSURE A WORRY- There is no toll or other tax to pay for sailing. FREE CRUISE • The practice of motorised water-sports, no- tably motor-boating and water-skiing, is for- • Do not exceed the maximum canal speed bidden. limit of 6km/h, reduced to 4km/h in the • All boaters on the canal must be in posses- access channels of locks. sion of a recreational inland navigation per- • Respect the navigation channel on the towpath mit corresponding to their craft. side at a distance of 5-10m from the bank. • Periods of closure to navigation for mainte- • Sail on the starboard side of the channel. nance and canal restoration work are de- • Wear a safety jacket during manoeuvres at a tailed by canal transport notices which can be lock and when boarding. During navigation it consulted at Lock Guily-Glaz and in town halls is not compulsory to wear a safety jacket, but of communes along the canal, as well as on strongly recommended for the boat-master the websites of the Department and SMATAH. and crew. (See links, page 22) 6 • All repairs and refurbishment of boats on pu- blic waterways are forbidden.
PASSING THROUGH A LOCK
What is a lock? A lock is a basic device to enable boats to To pass through the lock at Guily-Glaz circulate on the canal as it allows them to pass From Brest, the first lock is located in the between two stretches of water on different commune of Port-Launay at Guily-Glaz. A lock- levels (upstream and downstream). It functions keeper is there to welcome you every day 2 like a hydraulic lift which uses the physical hours 30 minutes before and 2 hours after the principle of “communicating vessels”. high tide at Brest. It takes about 15 minutes The lock is composed of a chamber ended to pass through the lock at Guily-Glaz. It is by two sets of gates, one upstream and one imperative to act in accordance with the lock- downstream. keeper’s instructions. A boat moving downstream enters the lock by Navigation on the Aulne between the Rade the upstream gate and vice versa. So before de Brest and Guily-Glaz at low tide is not entering the lock basin, the boat-master must recommended because of the risk of grounding, equalize the water level of the basin with that and passing through the lock at low tide is not of the approach stream. permitted. To change the level of water in the chamber, it is necessary to activate the gear which opens or closes the paddles at the bottom of the gates. In this way the chamber is filled or emptied before opening or closing the gates of the lock as necessary to connect with the reach upstream or downstream. 7 Description of a lock
Upstream reach Downstream gate
Paddle gear Paddle
Upstream gate Mooring ring
Bollard Lock bottom
Gate crank Traffic signal
Lock chamber Multi-purpose path
Side wall of lock Private area
Lock platform Downstream reach
Lock-keeper’s house
Reproduction courtesy of Loire-Atlantique County Council 8 Châteauneuf-du-Faou. A cheque for the €60 ATTENTION security deposit will be necessary in exchange for the crank handle. The lock at Guily-Glaz is open between 7.30am and 9pm from PLEASE NOTE April 1st to October 31st and between 9am and 7pm between To contact SMATAH November 1st and March 31st. Maison éclusière de Bizernig Boats must arrive at least 15 mi- nutes before the end of service. BP 37 - 29520 CHÂTEAUNEUF‑DU‑FAOU 02 98 73 40 31 At the lock at Guily-Glaz every boat-master must present himself on arrival to the duty officer for to contact the purposes of identification and information LOCK Guily-Glaz (planned route, intended mooring, security instructions…). 02 98 86 03 21
Passing through other locks Going through other locks on the canal requires How to take a boat through the lock use of a windlass to open and close the paddles Preliminaries: always leave the lock chamber on the lock gates. The procedure takes about 30 empty and the downstream gates open after minutes. It is not recommended that one person your passage. If two boats (one downstream alone undertakes this manoeuvre. and the other upstream) arrive at the same To get a windlass it is necessary to contact time to pass through the lock, the boat SMATAH in advance and then to fetch the going upstream has priority, that is, the one item, either from the lock at Guily-Glaz or the approaching from the downstream reach. headquarters of SMATAH at Lock Bizernic at 9 If you are in a boat If you are in a boat downstream of the lock in upstream of the lock 1. Enter the lock and moor your boat to the mooring 1. Moor upstream from the lock near the bank. rings or bollards* provided for this purpose. 2. Close the downstream gates and paddles 2. Close the downstream gates and the paddles with the aid of the windlass. (Wind the rod using the windlass to activate the gear. (Wind down - don’t let it drop as this damages the the rod down – don’t let it drop as this damages paddles.) the paddles.) 3. Open the upstream paddles. 3. Open the paddles in the upstream gates with 4. When the water is level – i.e. the level in the the windlass. When filling the lock chamber, lock chamber is the same as the upstream the large volume of water will form a current, reach, you can open the upstream gates. so you need to check your moorings constantly. 5. Bring the boat into the chamber and tie up 4. When the right level of water is reached – i.e. using the mooring rings or bollards provided the level in the chamber is the same as that for this purpose. of the upstream reach - you can open the 6. Close the upstream gates and paddles. upstream gates. (Wind the rod down – don’t let it drop as this 5. Bring the boat out and then tie up further on damages the paddles.) near the bank because it is now necessary to 7. Open the downstream paddles. During the empty the lock chamber. emptying of the chamber, the large volume 6. Close the upstream gates as well as the paddles of water forms a current so you need to keep with the aid of the windlass. (Wind the rod down– a constant check on your moorings. don’t let it drop as this damages the paddles.) 8. When the level of water in the chamber is 7. Open the paddles in the downstream gates. the same of that of the downstream reach, 8. When the level of the water in the chamber open the downstream gates. is the same as that of the downstream reach, 9. Then return to your boat and continue your open the downstream gates. journey. 9. Then return to your boat and continue your journey. * See the plan on page 8 10 Mooring a boat on the canal Mooring a boat on the Nantes-Brest Canal MOORING ON THE REACH OF GUILY-GLAZ is possible all year round and needs no authorisation for periods of less than a month. Obtaining a mooring permit does not grant access To moor on the canal for longer than a month to a numbered place. The choice of mooring is left requires an authorization of temporary to the pleasure-boater, within the marked zones de- occupation on a public waterway (AOT) creed by the Mairie of Port Launay. Maps showing provided by the Department of Finistère. This these zones can be consulted at the Mairie of Port authorization is subject to payment of a licence Launay or Lock Guily-Glaz. They are also available fee, the amount in proportion to the length for download on the website of the Department of of the boat and the duration of the mooring Finistère. (maximum one year). The commune of Port Launay offers pleasure-boa- ters a provision of drinking water and electricity. These (paying) services can be requested from: The Agence Postale of Port Launay in Place Gene- ral du Gaulle, open 8.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Saturday. This service is charged at €5 a day or PLEASE NOTE €90 a month. To contact the Department of Finistere Service des politiques territoriales de l’eau PLEASE NOTE 02 98 76 26 54 You will find a pull-out request form Mairie de Port-Launay for mooring authorisation on the 02 98 16 11 86 central pages. 11 MOORING ON OTHER REACHES PLEASE NOTE Mooring on other reaches of the Nantes-Brest Canal is only permitted at the mooring berths On all sections of the canal, designed for that purpose. The main sites for mooring a boat in the naviga- mooring are indicated on the map of the canal tion channel or less than 200m in this guide. (page 4 and 5) upstream or downstream of a lock are strictly forbidden.
12 HANDY FORM
Pull-out form to request a permit for mooring on public waterways
NANTES-BREST CANAL
FORM FOR REQUESTING PERMISSION FOR MOORING ON THE PUBLIC WATERWAY Compulsory for all mooring periods longer than one month
Place of requested mooring Duration of requested mooring Reach : 1 year Less than 1 year / from : to :
Identity of boat Dimensions of boat Length : m Name : Width : m Registration number : Draught : m
Home port : Height above : m the water line
Person in charge of the boat1 Owner of the boat To note if the owner lives outside Finistère
Surname : Surname : First name : First name : Adress : Adress : Postcode : Postcode : Commune : Commune : Date of birth : Date of birth : Home phone : Home phone : Mobile phone : Mobile phone : Email : Email :
1This refers to the person responsible for the boat under the terms of article 13 of the general regulation of the inland navigation police of September 26th 2011. This person must be able to take action concerning the boat within a maximum of 24 hours at the request of the authorities (who will in all cases inform the owner). In the absence of information to the contrary, this person is assumed to be the owner of the boat.
Documents to provide : • Identification of owner (copy of identity card, passport, driving licence), • Copy of the registration certificate of the boat, • Copy of a valid insurance certificate for the boat, mentioning the following cover: − Civil responsibility of the boat owner − Cost of recovering the boat (re-floating and lifting of the remains in case of shipwreck) • A colour photo of the boat taken within the last twelve months.
BY THE PRESENT DOCUMENT, I THE UNDERSIGNED, MR/MRS/MS……………. REQUEST AUTHORISATION OF TEMPORARY OCCUPATION ON THE PUBLIC WATERWAY FOR MOORING MY BOAT AND I AGREE TO PAY THE REQUIRED LICENCE FEE.
DATE AND SIGNATURE OF THE OWNER PRECEDED BY THE HAND-WRITTEN WORDS “READ AND AGREED” :
AT………………………………… ON THE …………………………….
Signature of the person responsible for the boat, if so Signature of owner designated
Form to be sent to : Subdivision Blavet et Canal de Nantes à Brest – 1 avenue du Commandant Ameil – 56140 MALESTROIT CEDEX Téléphone : 02 97 75 12 45 – Télécopie : 02 97 75 16 72
NANTES-BREST CANAL
FORM FOR REQUESTING PERMISSION FOR MOORING ON THE PUBLIC WATERWAY Compulsory for all mooring periods longer than one month
Place of requested mooring Duration of requested mooring Reach : 1 year Less than 1 year / from : to :
Identity of boat Dimensions of boat Length : m Name : Width : m Registration number : Draught : m
Home port : Height above : m the water line
Person in charge of the boat1 Owner of the boat To note if the owner lives outside Finistère
Surname : Surname : First name : First name : Adress : Adress : Postcode : Postcode : Commune : Commune : Date of birth : Date of birth : Home phone : Home phone : Mobile phone : Mobile phone : Email : Email :
1This refers to the person responsible for the boat under the terms of article 13 of the general regulation of the inland navigation police of September 26th 2011. This person must be able to take action concerning the boat within a maximum of 24 hours at the request of the authorities (who will in all cases inform the owner). In the absence of information to the contrary, this person is assumed to be the owner of the boat.
Documents to provide : • Identification of owner (copy of identity card, passport, driving licence), • Copy of the registration certificate of the boat, • Copy of a valid insurance certificate for the boat, mentioning the following cover: − Civil responsibility of the boat owner − Cost of recovering the boat (re-floating and lifting of the remains in case of shipwreck) • A colour photo of the boat taken within the last twelve months.
BY THE PRESENT DOCUMENT, I THE UNDERSIGNED, MR/MRS/MS……………. REQUEST AUTHORISATION OF TEMPORARY OCCUPATION ON THE PUBLIC WATERWAY FOR MOORING MY BOAT AND I AGREE TO PAY THE REQUIRED LICENCE FEE.
DATE AND SIGNATURE OF THE OWNER PRECEDED BY THE HAND-WRITTEN WORDS “READ AND AGREED” :
AT………………………………… ON THE …………………………….
Signature of the person responsible for the boat, if so Signature of owner designated
Form to be sent to : Subdivision Blavet et Canal de Nantes à Brest – 1 avenue du Commandant Ameil – 56140 MALESTROIT CEDEX Téléphone : 02 97 75 12 45 – Télécopie : 02 97 75 16 72
What to do in the event of river and maritime flooding
The Nantes-Brest Canal harnesses the watercourses of the Kergoat, the Hyères and the Aulne. In some years it is subject to winter floods likely to cause significant damage to the locks and boats moored at mooring stations.
ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH WATER BE AWARE OF RISKS IN THE REACH OF LEVELS IN THE CANAL GUILY-GLAZ AND THE TIDAL AULNE (outside the reach of Guily-Glaz and the tidal Aulne)
Boaters must ensure that the water level in The reach of Port-Launay at the end of the tidal the canal is compatible with navigation. The Aulne estuary like all the canal is subject to the necessary information is made clear by a three- risk of flooding but can also be the object of coloured water-level scale on the side-wall of marine flooding linked to the conjunction of each lock. exceptional events: low atmospheric pressures, westerly winds and high value tidal coefficients. Navigation is possible as long as the water level does not exceed the black line (which is The Department of Finistère has created a 0.50m above the weir). Navigation in full reach mobile barrage by Lock Guily-Glaz. This makes is still allowed at a distance of more than 100m it possible to decrease the level of the water upstream and downstream of the locks. in the event of flooding at Port-Launay and Châteaulin. Outside flood periods, the barrage regulates the water in the reach of Guily-Glaz between 3.25m and 3.55m NGF (General ATTENTION Levelling of France). If the water level passes the colour red, carrying canoes/kayaks around the locks is obligatory. 17 PLEASE NOTE acceptable movements of boats are those necessary to secure their safety. A presentation of the workings of the mobile barrage at Guily-Glaz is Furthermore, all boat-owners moored on the available on the website of the De- Nantes-Brest Canal are asked to give a contact partment of Finistère, rubric Eau/ telephone number so they can be reached in an emergency if it is necessary to take action Prévention et gestion des inonda- regarding their boat. At the State’s request, the tions Department can, in exceptional circumstances, carry out a partial or total emptying of the reach which requires boat-owners to act within During exceptional circumstances (tide of 24 hours. coefficient above 85 or flooding of the Aulne), the regulation operated at Guily-Glaz might For this purpose it is requested that boat- prove insufficient to maintain the rating of owners resident outside Finistère designate 3.55m NGF. It is therefore requested that boat- an authorised person to take action regarding owners keep themselves informed about the their boat within 24 hours. hydrologic condition of the Aulne via: - the national website Vigicrues - the advice of the inland waterways organisa- tion disseminated by the State and available at Lock Guily-Glaz, the Mairie of Port-Launay and on the website of the Department of Finistère. (See useful links, page 22)
When the “Vigicrues” yellow alert level is reached on the Aulne, navigation on the reach of Guily-Glaz is forbidden and the only 18 Discover the Canal
Using five former lock-houses along the canal, SMATAH offers you the chance to discover all aspects of this waterway.
Lock-house at Kergoat Lock-house Pont-Triffen the flora of the canal history of the canal
Saint-Hernin Cléden-Poher Port of Carhaix Pont-Triffen
Follow the towpath bordered by trees, some- This old lock-house situated at the confluence times as much as 100 years old, to reach this of natural and canalised waters will facilitate lock-house which explores the theme of flora. understanding of the prevalent issues during You can learn how to identify the 7000 trees the canalisation of the waters of the Aulne and growing along the canal before taking a break the Hyères. Come and discover the workings of in the herb garden with its many scents perfu- a historical heritage that was built 200 years ming the waterway. ago using cutting edge techniques of the time.
19 Lock-house Bizernic Lock-house Rosveguen Canal management Life of a lock-keeper in the old days
Châteauneuf-du-Faou Lennon Bizernic Ty-Men
This lock-house is home to the Syndicat Mixte Discover the golden age of the Breton wa- d’Aménagement Touristique de l’Aulne et de terways through traditional ways of life and l’Hyères (SMATAH). This is the actual focal working practices. The exhibition, complete point of the Syndicate’s work so its mission with scale models, plans and a variety of do- is presented here, and, new for this year, an cuments will take you back through 200 years information site on events and the discovery of life along the canal. Come and discover how centres… “water and electricity” work together in an old hydro-electric station, still with the original ma- chinery.
20 Lock-house Aulne Lock Châteaulin Fauna of the canal Aquatic observatory for the canal’s migratory fish Châteaulin Penn-ar-Pont Observatoire aquatique Châteaulin - Quai Charles de Gaulle This lock-house, full of creatures that swim, fly or move along the ground, is the key to Keep your feet dry and see the various fish discover the great diversity of animal life along that inhabit the Aulne, Brittany’s third largest the canal. coastal river. Combining a fish pass and a Fish, birds, rabbits and sheep await to help you viewing-room, this observatory may allow you discover the life of canal fauna, including the to come nose to nose with one of the large structure of the food chain and the habitats of migratory fish which swim upriver after their endangered and protected species in Finistère. long journey across the oceans. An innovative system of counting by video is also installed in this monitoring station.
PLEASE NOTE Visits to the Lock-houses and the Aquatic Observatory at Châteaulin are free and self-guided. For more information: SMATAH 02 98 73 40 31 or www.smatah.fr 21 USEFUL LINKS
Department of Finistère: www.finistere.fr → rubric eau et environnement/eau/Canal de Nantes à Brest
SMATAH: www.smatah.fr
Brittany Region: www.bretagne.fr → rubric Les politiques/Transports/Les voies navigables bretonnes
Association «Canaux de Bretagne»: www.canauxdebretagne.org
Vigicrues (information on flood risk): www.vigicrues.gouv.fr → secteur «Vilaine et côtiers bretons»
Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM): www.shom.fr
22 Tourist information
CARHAIX CHÂTEAULIN Recollections of Central Brittany BIKE HIRE Guided visits Sports Cycl’Aulne Rue Brizeux 13 Grand Rue Tel. 02 98 99 38 14 Tel. 02 98 86 12 50 http://kreizbreizh.org CANOE HIRE Bike stalls Canoe Kayak Club Kastellin Free access in town centre and at the station Coatigaor in Carhaix Tel. 02 98 86 35 34
RIDING CENTRES ROWING Centre équestre de la vallée de l’Hyères Club L’aviron châteaulinois Lessons, short and long rides - from 4 years of age Quai Robert Alba Kerniguez Tel. 02 98 86 33 25 Tel. 02 98 93 35 44 http://centre-equestre-carhaix.wifeo.com SAILING Association Korriganez Poney club du Poher Sailing barges on the Aulne Lessons, short and long rides - from 2 years of age 29150 Port-Launay Le Minez Tel. 06 50 56 30 36 Tel. 06 82 91 37 83 www.korriganez.com www.poney-club-du-poher.com RIDING CENTRE FISHING SCHOOL ESAT du Vieux-Bourg Kergalet Le vieux bourg Sign up at Carhaix Tourist Office before noon on Fridays Tel. 02 98 16 10 97 Tel. 02 98 93 04 42 www.vieux-bourg-chateaulin.fr 23 CHÂTEAULIN suite PLONÉVEZ-DU-FAOU FISHING SCHOOL RIDING CENTRE Tel. 02 98 86 78 10 Domaine de Méros Rides, excursions, riding breaks... CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-FAOU Le Méros Aulne Loisirs Plaisance Tel. 06 81 02 63 33 Canoes, quadracycles and mountain bike rental www.domainedemeros.com Boat cruises, refreshments Penn ar Pont SAINT-GOAZEC Tel. 02 98 73 28 63 Domaine de Trévarez www.aulneloisirs.com Park and château Tel. 02 98 26 82 79 Ulamir Aulne www.cdp29.fr For groups bike and canoe rental, archery SAINT-HERNIN Rue du Gledig RIDING CENTRE Tel. 02 98 73 20 76 Ferme équestre La Haie Du www.ulamir-aulne.com La Haie Du tel. 02 98 81 74 41 LANDÉVENNEC www.ferme-equestre-lahaiedu.com Musée de l’ancienne Abbaye Tel. 02 98 27 35 90 SAINT-THOIS Ulamir PLEYBEN Canoe centre - For groups Navigation Stervinou Canoe and bike rental Tel. 02 98 73 20 76 On towpath Chemin du halage SPÉZET Tel. 02 98 73 34 69 Botanical Garden of the Montagnes noires www.clubnautique-pleyben.fr Guided and self-guided visit to the arboretum, activities 24 Le Fell TOURIST OFFICES Tel. 02 98 93 88 69 Office de tourisme de Carhaix et Huelgoat www.coniferes-parc.com Rue Brizeux à Carhaix Tel. 02 98 93 04 42 Permanent exhibition « The stories of butter » Email : [email protected] Pôle culturel de la Maison Bleue www.huelgoat-carhaix-tourisme.com Tel. 02 98 93 94 70 Free entry Syndicat d’initiative de Spézet Rue du Général de Gaulle TRÉGARVAN Tel. 02 98 93 94 70 Museum of the Rural School in Brittany www.mairie-spezet.fr Kergroas Syndicat d’initiative de Landeleau Tel. 02 98 26 04 72 3 place de la Mairie www.musee-ecole.fr Tel. 02 98 93 82 16 www.landeleau.org Syndicat d’initiative de Plonévez-du-Faou 2 rue des Frères Floch Tel. 02 98 86 90 07 www.plonevezdufaou.fr Office de tourisme de Châteauneuf-du-Faou Place Ar Segal Tel. 02 98 81 83 90 Email: officedutourisme.chateauneufdufaou@ wanadoo.fr www.chateauneuf-du-faou.com Office de tourisme de Pleyben 11 place Charles de Gaulle Tel. 02 98 26 71 05 Email: [email protected] www.mairiepleyben.fr 25 Office de tourisme intercommunal de l’Aulne Office de tourisme communautaire de l’Aulne et du Porzay Maritime (Cast, Châteaulin, Dinéault, Ploeven, Plomodiern, (Le Faou, Pont-de-Buis-lès-Quimerc’h, Saint- Plonevez-Porzay, Port-Launay, Quéménéven, Ségal, Rosnoën) Saint-Coulitz, Saint-Nic, Trégarvan) 15 June - 15 September 4 place Saint-Yves 39 rue du Général de Gaulle au Faou 29550 Plomodiern Tel. 02 98 81 06 85 Tel. 02 98 81 27 37 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.cc-aulne-maritime.fr www.aulne-porzay-tourisme.com
26 If you have enjoyed the Nantes-Brest Canal…
Please send your experiences and best photos to the address [email protected]. These will help to enhance and illustrate the next edition of this guide. Département du Finistère Direction de l’aménagement, de l’eau, de l’environnement et du logement Service des politiques territoriales de l’eau 32 boulevard Dupleix - CS 29029 Tél. 02 98 76 26 54 29 196 Quimper Cedex Courriel : [email protected]
Conseil départemental du Finistère - Direction de la communication Crédits photos : Lamoureux/EPAGA – Archives départementales du Finistère - Fonds Villard – SMATAH - S. Bourcier – P. Torset — Traduction : Wendy Mewes / Brittany heritage services — 2015