Rent a boat to navigate on the Vilaine
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Boat rental on the Vilaine. Discover the highlights of this river cruise between Redon and Dinan
From Redon, there are many routes available to you. You can heard towards Pontivy for a river cruise in the heart of Brittany, towards Nantes to cruise towards the capital of Brittany, or towards Dinan for a cruise on the river Vilaine. It is in this direction that we propose to take you.
The river Vilaine, from Redon to Rennes and then the Canal d'Ille et Rance from Rennes to Dinan, will allow you to navigate on board a licence-free boat on calm waters, in the middle of nature. To cruise on the Vilaine, we offer 3 departure bases: Redon, Messac and Melesse.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
How to cruise the Vilaine on a licence-free boat
The Vilaine is a quiet river that lies between steep hillsides and rural landscapes. The Vilaine is a waterway that can be navigated with ease and is suitable for beginners. The manoeuvres are not complicated because the river is wide.
In this area, you can start your cruise from Melesse, Messac or Redon. Departures are in the afternoon and, before actually starting your cruise, you will receive a short one hour training session to introduce you to the steering of your licence-free boat.
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 Vilaine River - our suggested cruises
Glénac
round trip
Monument
Sports and leisure activities
Nature
Redon
round trip
Messac
round trip
Redon
round trip
Gastronomy
Monument
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Glénac
round trip
Monument
Sports and leisure activities
Nature
Messac
round trip
Redon
round trip
Saint-Martin/Oust
round trip
Messac
round trip
Saint-Martin/Oust
round trip
Redon
round trip
Gastronomy
Sports and leisure activities
Swimming
Monument
Nature
Glénac
round trip
Gastronomy
Sports and leisure activities
Swimming
Monument
Nature
Messac
round trip
Redon
round trip
Sucé/Erdre
round trip
Messac
round trip
Saint-Martin/Oust
round trip
Sucé/Erdre
round trip
Gastronomy
Sports and leisure activities
Swimming
Monument
Nature
Redon
round trip
Gastronomy
Sports and leisure activities
Swimming
Monument
Nature
River constructions
Messac
round trip
Glénac
round trip
Gastronomy
Sports and leisure activities
Swimming
Monument
Nature
River constructions
Here is the list of possible cruises on the Vilaine
From €226 / pers
Week of the 8/25/25 to 9/1/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €190 / pers
Week of the 8/29/25 to 9/5/25
- Max. people : 5
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €189 / pers
Week of the 8/30/25 to 9/6/25
- Max. people : 5
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €451 / pers
Week of the 8/23/25 to 8/30/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €425 / pers
Week of the 8/27/25 to 9/3/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €283 / pers
Week of the 8/30/25 to 9/6/25
- Max. people : 10
- Cabins : 4
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
Air cooler
Microwave
220V socket
Electric toilets
Customer testimonials
4.7/5
(based on 192 opinion)
"Calm and relaxing."
"Excellent and refreshing."
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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