
SELF DRIVE RIVER BOAT RENTALS FROM Messac
This small town, glued to Guipry, is classified"green resort holiday" thanks to its tourist and sports facilities. It is the starting point for river cruises on the Vilaine to Dinan and on the Nantes-Brest Canal to Nort-Sur-Erdre.
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.
- In Guipry (1 km): Super U. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:45 am - 7:30 pm without interruption Sunday: 9h-12h30 - Coccinelle Express supermarket in Messac: Monday to Saturday: 8.30 - 19.30 Sunday: 9h - 12h30
- Licenses and fishing articles available at: Les Templiers Snack Bar (Port of GUIPRY, 1 km)
- Thursday morning at GUIPRY (1km)
- Friday night organic market from 16h30 to 19h at MESSAC - Square of Liberty
- Airport: Rennes airport - 40 km, Nantes - 100 km
- Train: Messac - 2 km (less than 10 walk from the base), Redon - 30 km, Rennes - 40 km
- In most places the minimum you should pay is € 10 per night per boat. Generally this tax also includes water. Some water stops charge for water and electricity. Rates may change
Possible cruises
Customer testimonials


"Très agréable et disponible avec conseils touristiques."

"Excellent accueil à Bouzies."

"L'accueil était sympathique et la prise en charge rapide, pas d'attente. En fait, bien mieux que pour mes expériences précédentes sur le Canal du Midi ou en Bretagne"

"Très bon accueil et personnel serviable"
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.
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5

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