Reusing local trees for timber along Brittany's canals
Do you know how wood from Brittany's canals is reused? The canals of Brittany are much more than just a historical legacy. They are also refuges of biodiversity and living testimony to the relationship between man and nature. At the heart of this harmony is a remarkable initiative by David and Guy, two joiners who are turning local trees into timber.
Let's find out how they use the natural resources along Brittany's canals in a sustainable and creative way.
The many uses of canal wood
The trees of Brittany's canals are finding a second life through a number of projects! Imagine navigating a houseboat along the canals of Brittany and coming across no fewer than 200 wooden benches, made from local trees by David and Guy. As you continue your journey, you may find yourself passing through the gates of the lock houses. Some of them are also designed using wood from Brittany's canals. Real craftsmanship! For lovers of cycling, the canals also offer a practical and environmentally-friendly solution. Some forty wooden bike racks have been installed along the waterways, allowing cyclists to make the most of their ride without compromising the preservation of the environment. Preserving biodiversity is also a priority for David and Guy. Bird nesting boxes are built and integrated along the Canal, providing essential habitats for these protected species.
A local and sustainable approach
The development of the canal's trees is rooted in a local and sustainable approach. The trees used are carefully selected and cut by companies in the region. This collaboration promotes the local economy and preserves traditional know-how. The sustainability of this initiative is also ensured by the replanting of the trees. The Brittany Region ensures that the trees are replanted in the exact spot where they were taken. In this way, we have come full circle: Brittany's canals continue to develop thanks to the regeneration of natural resources.
Recovering scrap wood
In this eco-responsible approach, every piece of wood counts, including offcuts. They are used to make small accessories such as bird nesting boxes, providing welcoming shelters for our feathered friends. What's more, these off-cuts find a practical use as firewood for local workshops, minimising waste and contributing to the responsible use of resources. As for the sawdust, it doesn't go to waste. It is vacuumed up and made available to the public. Local residents and visitors can use it in dry toilets, for example, an ecological alternative that helps to preserve the environment.
Using local trees for timber along the Ille et Rance Canal is much more than simply using natural resources. It's a sustainable approach, a story of harmony between man and nature. By giving a second life to trees, the carpenters of the waterways preserve the identity of the region, encourage the local economy and help to preserve the environment.
Would you like to discover this unspoilt natural environment? Take a river cruise in Brittany and relax on a licence-free boat!
