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Canal Nante à Brest - Nantes

Boat rental on the Canal from Nantes to Brest - Direction Nantes

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Boat rental on the Canal de Nantes à Brest. Discover the highlights of this river cruise between Redon and Nantes

From Redon, there are various routes you can take. You can either head towards Pontivy to explore the heart of Brittany, towards Dinan to navigate on the Vilaine river or towards Nantes to discover the capital of Brittany. This is the path that we propose to take you on.

Let's go and discover 95 km of waterways. There are 2 departure bases in this navigation area: Redon and Sucé-Sur-Erdre with numerous villages on the way. You will find a towpath throughout your journey so don't forget your bikes and enjoy the ride !

Cities and villages to discover during your cruise

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Redon: at the confluence of the Oust and Vilaine rivers. The old town, the magnificent Saint-Sauveur abbey and the richness of the landscape are to be discovered. 

PORIEL Thibault
Redon: at the confluence of the Oust and Vilaine rivers. The old town, the magnificent Saint-Sauveur abbey and the richness of the landscape are to be discovered.  PORIEL Thibault
Château de Blain : this castle, classified as a historical monument, is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century by the Duke of Brittany. 

BERTHIER Emmanuel
Château de Blain : this castle, classified as a historical monument, is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century by the Duke of Brittany.  BERTHIER Emmanuel
Nantes, its city, its castle, its gastronomy, its cultural and historical heritage
Nantes, its city, its castle, its gastronomy, its cultural and historical heritage

Sailing conditions to rent a licence-free boat on the Nantes to Brest Canal

If you navigate on the Nantes-Brest Canal, between Redon and Nantes, your cruise will be punctuated by the passage of about 18 electric locks. All of them are manoeuvred by lock-keepers, so you can make the most of the time to meet people and enjoy the show. Please note that the locks on the canal remain open on public holidays.

 

There are two bases to start your licence-free boat cruise in this area: Redon and Sucé-Sur-Erdre. Before leaving the port, you will receive a short 1 hour training to introduce you to the river code and to familiarise you with the operation of the controls and manoeuvres of your licence-free boat. It is important to know that the departures are only in the afternoon, the mornings are dedicated to the return of the cruise.

4 possible starting bases

The locks are electric and manned by lock keepers. They are always open.

In Britanny, river cruises are mainly done on canals (except between Redon and Rennes). Easy on the whole, little current, few dangers - this region is perfectly suited for a first river cruise experience. 
In 2024 and 2025: following long maintenance work, navigation will be interrupted on the Vilaine at the Moulin de Boël, between Messac and Rennes. You will therefore not be able to navigate as far as Rennes for the whole of the 2025 season.

Update of 18/04/25: Due to work to replace the Boël valve, navigation is only possible as far as Pierchatel until further notice. This means that you can only cruise north from Messac for 1.5 hours as far as the Molière lock. If you wish to visit Rennes from Messac, it is advisable to take the train - the station is just opposite the Messac base.

Update 18/04/25: Due to heavy flooding in January, mooring on the pontoons at La Gacilly is not possible until further notice, as the pontoons are not secure. Navigation on the Aff river is possible, but mooring is not. 

Whether on the Nantes-Brest Canal or on the Vilaine River, mooring is only permitted in designated places and not along the banks.

The Canal from Nantes to Brest - Direction Nantes - our suggested cruises

Also to be discovered


Here is the list of possible cruises on the Canal de Nantes à Brest towards Nantes

Range Comfort 2 0
Estivale Duo
-44%

€1,684 €950

From €238 / pers

Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25

  • Max. people : 4
  • Cabins : 1
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Flat-screen TV Flat-screen TV
220V socket 220V socket
Electric toilets Electric toilets
Range Comfort 2 0
Estivale Duo
-30%

€1,684 €1,179

From €295 / pers

Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25

  • Max. people : 4
  • Cabins : 1
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Flat-screen TV Flat-screen TV
220V socket 220V socket
Electric toilets Electric toilets
Range Standard 4 2
Sedan 1000
Sedan 1000
-30%

€1,631 €1,142

From €143 / pers

Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25

  • Max. people : 8
  • Cabins : 3
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Range Comfort 4 0
Estivale Quattro B+
-30%

€2,402 €1,681

From €280 / pers

Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25

  • Max. people : 6
  • Cabins : 2
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Bow thruster Bow thruster
Air-Conditioning Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV Flat-screen TV
220V socket 220V socket
Electric toilets Electric toilets
Range Premium 8 0
Estivale Octo Fly C
-30%

€4,365 €3,056

From €306 / pers

Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25

  • Max. people : 10
  • Cabins : 4
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 4
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV Flat-screen TV
Microwave Microwave
Dishwasher Dishwasher
Electric toilets Electric toilets

Customer testimonials

Average : 4.6 étoiles 4.6/5 (based on 24 opinion)
 
5
Cruise carried out on Sep 27, 2019, Sedan 1170Cruise : Sucé/Erdre round trip
"auto-translation :''The group thought it was really great.''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Aug 3, 2018, CalypsoCruise : between Messac and Nort-sur-Erdre
"auto-translation :''Varied cruise pleasant landscapes''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Jun 2, 2018, Tarpon 37Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Very good experience, relaxing''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on May 11, 2018, Confort 900 ACruise : Redon round trip
"Beautiful scenery and clean canal"
 
5
Cruise carried out on May 9, 2018, Tarpon 32Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Great moment of relaxation''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 27, 2018, Eau-Claire 1130Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Super''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 21, 2018, CapriCruise : between Messac and Nort-sur-Erdre
"very good, great way to see the river"
 
4
Cruise carried out on Jul 3, 2017, Eau-Claire 930Cruise : Redon round trip
"We loved our cruise"
 
5
Cruise carried out on May 19, 2017, Eau-Claire 930Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Very beautiful route''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 7, 2017, Sedan 1000Cruise : Sucé/Erdre round trip
"auto-translation :''Restful and exotic stay''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Oct 3, 2016, Confort 900 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Nice experience''"
 
4
Cruise carried out on Aug 22, 2016, Sedan 1160 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''To redo''"
 
4
Cruise carried out on Aug 6, 2016, Riviera 920Cruise : Sucé/Erdre round trip
"auto-translation :''Well, nice cruise , which allowed us to discover the passage of locks .''"
 
5
Cruise carried out on Jul 2, 2016, Sedan 1000 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :''Memorable !''"
 
4
Cruise carried out on May 23, 2016, Confort 900 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Very happy , relaxing""
 
4
Cruise carried out on May 13, 2016, Sedan 1000 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Well, beautiful river cruise but not enough to stop in small villages""
 
4
Cruise carried out on May 9, 2016, Confort 900 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Beautiful river cruise""
 
4
Cruise carried out on Mar 26, 2016, Riviera 1130 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Very nice river cruise , shame the weather was not all great.""
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 4, 2016, Riviera 1130 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"A cruise on the Canal from Nantes to Brest calm and relaxing""
 
5
Cruise carried out on Aug 8, 2015, Sedan 1160 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Welcome in locks and ports""
 
5
Cruise carried out on Jun 29, 2015, Sedan 1310 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"scenery""
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 18, 2015, Tarpon 32Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Nice experience. It disconnects and Destress time a week. Waterways more fluid than this period.""
 
4
Cruise carried out on Apr 10, 2015, Eau-Claire 930Cruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Not long enough to complete redo for a week next time""
 
4
Cruise carried out on Mar 28, 2015, Confort 1100 ACruise : Redon round trip
"auto-translation :"Pleasant""

Travelling with CrisBoat

Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.

Who are we?
Customer
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5
20 years of experience
Wide choice of boats and destinations
Voyager avec Cris Boat

Cris Boat Blog

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The Canal from Nantes to Brest - Direction Nantes

Redon

Dock at the river harbour to enjoy this town with a rich heritage and port history. Redon also hosts remarkable religious buildings such as the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur and the Calvairienne monastery.

Market on Monday morning

Port of Guenrouët

We highly recommend a stopover at the tiny port of Guenrouët. Enjoy its open-air swimming pool with water slides, jacuzzis and solarium. It is the ideal place for a family break on the banks of the Nantes-Brest Canal during your boating holidays.

Blain

In Blain, you can moor your licence-free boat to contemplate the Château de la Groulais, built in the 12th century by the Duke of Brittany. Listed as a historical monument since 1977, this medieval fortress was owned by Marie Bonaparte (a descendant of Napoleon) in the early 20th century. It comprises 9 towers and was built at the end of the 16th century (actually rebuilt, as it has undergone multiple destructions).

Nort-Sur-Erdre

If you navigate to Nort-Sur-Erdre, enjoy the view of many castles.

Local market on Friday

Sucé-Sur-Erdre

With its shops and fully equipped port, Sucé-Sur-Erdre is a very welcoming base. It is the departure point for one-way river cruises on the Nantes-Brest Canal to Glénac.

What is included / not included

The price of your charter includes

  • The rental of the boat
  • Fittings: equipment necessary for navigation
  • Crockery: in sufficient quantity for the number of passengers on board
  • Bedding*: sheets, blankets or duvets, pillows and pillow cases
  • Boat insurance
  • Navigation instruction and delivery of the yacht's card
  • Breakdown assistance available 7/7 during the base's opening hours
  • The navigation toll
  • A 13 kg gas bottle

* Beds made up on certain boats in the 5 star range

 

The price of your rental does not include

  • Cancellation insurance
  • Navigation guide
  • One way supplement
  • Deposit redemption insurance
  • The cleaning package
  • Cleaning kits, kitchen linen, towels**.
  • Deposit of 780 € to 3 250 €, depending on the boat
  • The navigation package. This includes all consumables used during your stay (oil, diesel, gas, etc.). Depending on the category of the boat, the package varies from 7 € to 22 € per hour of navigation.

** Included on some boats