The city of Rennes adopts a canal contract in order to enhance waterways and river tourism
At the beginning of December, during a town council meeting, the Rennes town council adopted a canal contract with several objectives. Among them, new developments, the enhancement of the waterways and the animation of the banks of the Vilaine and the Ille-et-Rance canal. And the project that attracts the most attention is undoubtedly the construction of a port. According to the deliberation of the council, it should be carried out on the banks of the Île d'Apigné, at La Prévalaye. Very much in demand by river navigation enthusiasts, it will make it possible to develop tourism and offer an anchorage point for holidaymakers travelling on board barges and boats without a licence.
In Brittany, as in other French regions, river tourism has been developing rather well in recent years. And with this contract, it should increase. As the First Deputy Prime Minister points out, more and more people from Northern Europe "are looking for a place to stay to visit the town. We have to anticipate this. With this contract, the result of two years' work carried out jointly with the Region, it will be easier to organise "things between the commercial boats and the places reserved for houseboats". The city of Rennes also wants to develop the reception of activity boats in several places and thus increase the number of customers. For ecologists, this charter is "excellent news" because it should make Rennes "an ecotourism destination" and enhance the value of water tourism.
A document providing for new developments
According to this canal contract, by 2026, the quays and banks of the Vilaine and Ille-et-Rance canal will be equipped with new facilities, including a port, which will be adapted to long-term parking, with 50 places on the water and 40 places dry on its northern part. For shorter parking lots, stopping places could also be created. Similarly, it solves the problem of houseboats, which currently park as they please, without "collective instructions". Hence the introduction of a charter to "specify the criteria for granting parking permits" and which provides a legal framework. Thus, this answers practical questions, particularly regarding connections and sanitation.