The Nantes-Brest Canal · The Nantes-Brest canal has been entirely navigable since 2006 thanks to...

The Nantes-Brest Canal

A Guide for Boaters in Finistère

2

With nearly 100km of waterway punctuated by 46 locks, the Nantes-Brest Canal offers you an exceptional passage through nature in the heart of Finistère. Within Finistère, the canal harnesses the water-courses of the Aulne, the Hyères and the Kergoat.

Since 1996 the Department of Finistère has managed the canal in Finistère with the help of the Syndicat mixte d’aménagement touristique de l’Aulne et de l’Hyères (SMATAH). Part of the public waterways system, the canal is divided into two sections in this department.

• The western section, 22km in length, runs between Rosnoën and Châteaulin. It is owned by Brittany’s regional government, which has granted the management to the Department of Finistère since 1990. In this sector in 2006, the Department constructed the mobile barrage of Guily-Glaz as part of anti-flood measures for the communes of Châteaulin and Port Launay. It is also in charge of the technical functioning of the canal.

• The eastern section, 80km in length, stretches between Châteaulin and the Côtes d’Armor border. It belongs to the State, which has granted the management to the Department of Finistère since 1966. In this section, the Department has been working on the development of a cycle-route on the towpath between Carhaix and Châteaulin since 2012.

The provisions presented in this booklet are for the purpose of information. Boaters are encou-raged to familiarize themselves with the full text of the prefectorial decree N°2014-239-0001 of August 27th 2014, which is available at Lock Guily-Glaz or for download from the Department of Finistère’s website.

Welcome to the Nantes-Brest Canal

3

HISTORY OF THE CANAL

In 1538 the Parliament of Brittany decided to make the Vilaine navigable from Rennes to Messac, allowing the first fluvial link from the Breton capital to Redon from 1585 and on to the Bay of Biscay by the tidal Vilaine. It was not until 1783 when a Commission of Interior Navigation was established that the earliest projects for navigation between Nantes and Brest began.

Construction work on the canal started in 1804 under the Empire for strategic reasons, with the renewal of hostilities with England and the Continental blockade. The superiority of the English fleet on the high seas forced Napoleon 1st to ensure that the arsenals of Brest and Lorient were supplied by an internal waterway, linked with the Loire via Nantes.

Works on a Herculean scale were required to join four river basins (Loire, Vilaine, Blavet, Aulne), eight rivers (Erdre, Isac, Oust, Blavet, Kergoat, Dore, Hyères, Aulne), construct three

cut channels (Bout de Bois: 19,83m, Hilvern: 128,71m, Tranchée de Glomel: 183,85m) and create 237 locks for a total length of 360kms… Spanish prisoners of war, army deserters and prisoners from the gaol in Brest, peasants, women and children slaved for years over all this. The Nantes-Brest Canal was completed for through navigation in 1842.

Breton boatmen exploited the commercial po-tential of this waterway with the transport of merchandise within the region. The building of roads and development of the railway were to mark the decline of transport via the canal. The construction of the hydro-electric dam at Guer-lédan during the 1930s separated the sections in Finistère and Côtes d’Armor from the rest of the network.

The canal seemed doomed, but during the last twenty years its appeal for tourism has provi-ded a new economic, social and environmental energy.


4

Practices related to the Nantes-Brest Canal

ROSNOEN

DINEAULT

PONT-DE-BUIS-LES-QUIMERCH

SAINT-SEGAL

PORT-LAUNAY

CHATEAULIN

SAINT-COULITZ

PLEYBEN

LOTHEY

GOUEZEC

SAINT-THOIS

LENNON

Aulne

Lothey

Prat Hir

Châteaulin

Coat Pont

Guili Glaz Le Guillec

Trés iguidi

Coatigrac'hToul ar Rodo

Vuzid

Stéréon

Saint Algon

N

Usages liés au canal de Nantes à Brest (section �nistérienne)

Coat PontTréziguion

LAZ

SPEZET

PLONEVEZ-DU-FAOU

LENNON

LANDELEAU

SAINT-GOAZEC

MOTREFF

SAINT-HERNIN

CLEDEN-POHER

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-FAOU

SAINT-THOIS

CARHAIX-PLOUGUER

Nénez L'île

Rosily

PénityStéréon

Voaquer

Lanneur Le Stêr

Kergoat

Kersalic

Bizernic

Kerglo�

RozvéguenStervalen

Kergoutois

Aulne

Goariva

Moustoir

Lesnévez

Kergaden

Boudrac'h

KerdugnesLe Guillec

Kerbaoure

Meros

Coz Castel

Roc'h KaerLe Pellerm

Prat Pouric

Châteauneuf

Kervouledic

Pont Tri�en

Pont ar Bros

Prat ar Born

Roz ar Gaouen

Pont d'Aulvas

0 mk2 4

mk01 020

Club nautique

Location �uviale

Prise d'eau pour l'alimentation en eau potable

Écluse/nom des écluses

Canal de Nantes à Brest accessible à la plaisance �uviale en Finistère

Voies cyclables

Route départementale

Route nationale

Limite communale

Capacité d'accueil touristique

Nombre de lits touristiques par communes

100 à 200

200 à 500

500 à 1000

1000 à 1667

Sentiers de randonnées (GR® et PR®) inscrits au Plan départemental desitinéraires de promenades et de randonnées

ROSNOEN

DINEAULT


SAINT-SEGAL

PORT-LAUNAY

CHATEAULIN

SAINT-COULITZ

PLEYBEN

LOTHEY

GOUEZEC

SAINT-THOIS

LENNON

Aulne

Lothey

Prat Hir

Châteaulin

Coat Pont


Trés iguidi


Vuzid

Stéréon

Saint Algon

N



LAZ

SPEZET

PLONEVEZ-DU-FAOU

LENNON

LANDELEAU

SAINT-GOAZEC

MOTREFF

SAINT-HERNIN

CLEDEN-POHER

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-FAOU

SAINT-THOIS

CARHAIX-PLOUGUER

Nénez L'île

Rosily

PénityStéréon

Voaquer

Lanneur Le Stêr

Kergoat

Kersalic

Bizernic

Kerglo�

RozvéguenStervalen

Kergoutois

Aulne

Goariva

Moustoir

Lesnévez

Kergaden

Boudrac'h

KerdugnesLe Guillec

Kerbaoure

Meros

Coz Castel


Prat Pouric

Châteauneuf

Kervouledic

Pont Tri�en

Pont ar Bros

Prat ar Born

Roz ar Gaouen

Pont d'Aulvas

0 mk2 4

mk01 020

Club nautique

Location �uviale




Voies cyclables


Route nationale

Limite communale



100 à 200

200 à 500

500 à 1000

1000 à 1667


< Distance and difference in level between locks

Elevation

5

ROSNOEN

DINEAULT


SAINT-SEGAL

PORT-LAUNAY

CHATEAULIN

SAINT-COULITZ

PLEYBEN

LOTHEY

GOUEZEC

SAINT-THOIS

LENNON

Aulne

Lothey

Prat Hir

Châteaulin

Coat Pont


Trés iguidi


Vuzid

Stéréon

Saint Algon

N



LAZ

SPEZET

PLONEVEZ-DU-FAOU

LENNON

LANDELEAU

SAINT-GOAZEC

MOTREFF

SAINT-HERNIN

CLEDEN-POHER

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-FAOU

SAINT-THOIS

CARHAIX-PLOUGUER

Nénez L'île

Rosily

PénityStéréon

Voaquer

Lanneur Le Stêr

Kergoat

Kersalic

Bizernic

Kerglo�

RozvéguenStervalen

Kergoutois

Aulne

Goariva

Moustoir

Lesnévez

Kergaden

Boudrac'h

KerdugnesLe Guillec

Kerbaoure

Meros

Coz Castel


Prat Pouric

Châteauneuf

Kervouledic

Pont Tri�en

Pont ar Bros

Prat ar Born

Roz ar Gaouen

Pont d'Aulvas

0 mk2 4

mk01 020

Club nautique

Location �uviale




Voies cyclables


Route nationale

Limite communale



100 à 200

200 à 500

500 à 1000

1000 à 1667


ROSNOEN

DINEAULT


SAINT-SEGAL

PORT-LAUNAY

CHATEAULIN

SAINT-COULITZ

PLEYBEN

LOTHEY

GOUEZEC

SAINT-THOIS

LENNON

Aulne

Lothey

Prat Hir

Châteaulin

Coat Pont


Trés iguidi


Vuzid

Stéréon

Saint Algon

N



LAZ

SPEZET

PLONEVEZ-DU-FAOU

LENNON

LANDELEAU

SAINT-GOAZEC

MOTREFF

SAINT-HERNIN

CLEDEN-POHER

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-FAOU

SAINT-THOIS

CARHAIX-PLOUGUER

Nénez L'île

Rosily

PénityStéréon

Voaquer

Lanneur Le Stêr

Kergoat

Kersalic

Bizernic

Kerglo�

RozvéguenStervalen

Kergoutois

Aulne

Goariva

Moustoir

Lesnévez

Kergaden

Boudrac'h

KerdugnesLe Guillec

Kerbaoure

Meros

Coz Castel


Prat Pouric

Châteauneuf

Kervouledic

Pont Tri�en

Pont ar Bros

Prat ar Born

Roz ar Gaouen

Pont d'Aulvas

0 mk2 4

mk01 020

Yacht club

Boat rental

Drinking water intake

Lock / Lock's name


Bicycle path

Country road

Highway

Municpal boundary

Tourism accomodation capacity

100 à 200

200 à 500

500 à 1000

1000 à 1667

Hicking trails (GR® et PR®)

(Finistère sector)

Nautical club

Boat hire

Water supply point

Locks/Names of locks

Accessibility of Nantes-BrestCanal for pleasure-boating

Cycle routes

Footpaths (GR® and PR®) registered in the

Departmental Plan for walking and hiking routes

Departmental highway

National highway

Commune boundary

Tourist welcome capacity

100 to 200

200 to 500

500 to 1000

1000 to 1667

6

INSTRUCTIONS TO ENSURE A WORRY-FREE CRUISE

• Do not exceed the maximum canal speed limit of 6km/h, reduced to 4km/h in the access channels of locks.

• Respect the navigation channel on the towpath side at a distance of 5-10m from the bank.

• Sail on the starboard side of the channel.• Wear a safety jacket during manoeuvres at a

lock and when boarding. During navigation it is not compulsory to wear a safety jacket, but strongly recommended for the boat-master and crew.

• Reduce the speed of the boat in passing moored boats and anglers, and during crossing with another boat.

INFORMATION FOR SMOOTH NAVIGATION

• Navigation on the canal is unsupervised. There is no toll or other tax to pay for sailing.

• The practice of motorised water-sports, no-tably motor-boating and water-skiing, is for-bidden.

• All boaters on the canal must be in posses-sion of a recreational inland navigation per-mit corresponding to their craft.

• Periods of closure to navigation for mainte-nance and canal restoration work are de-tailed by canal transport notices which can be consulted at Lock Guily-Glaz and in town halls of communes along the canal, as well as on the websites of the Department and SMATAH. (See links, page 22)

The Nantes-Brest canal has been entirely navigable since 2006 thanks to the restoration of locks undertaken by the Department of Finistère and SMATAH. Today all the locks are operational and all boats with a draught of less than 1m can traverse the entire length in Finistère. Boats with a draught between 1m and 2.7m can only sail the reach of Guily-Glaz.

Boating on the Canal

Boats with a draught of more than 0.8m must be equipped with a depth sounder to sail securely on the canal.

PLEASE NOTE

7

• All repairs and refurbishment of boats on pu-blic waterways are forbidden.

PASSING THROUGH A LOCK

What is a lock?A lock is a basic device to enable boats to circulate on the canal as it allows them to pass between two stretches of water on different levels (upstream and downstream). It functions like a hydraulic lift which uses the physical principle of “communicating vessels”.The lock is composed of a chamber ended by two sets of gates, one upstream and one downstream.A boat moving downstream enters the lock by the upstream gate and vice versa. So before entering the lock basin, the boat-master must equalize the water level of the basin with that of the approach stream.To change the level of water in the chamber, it is necessary to activate the gear which opens or closes the paddles at the bottom of the gates. In this way the chamber is filled or emptied before opening or closing the gates of the lock as necessary to connect with the reach upstream or downstream.

To pass through the lock at Guily-GlazFrom Brest, the first lock is located in the commune of Port-Launay at Guily-Glaz. A lock-keeper is there to welcome you every day 2 hours 30 minutes before and 2 hours after the high tide at Brest. It takes about 15 minutes to pass through the lock at Guily-Glaz. It is imperative to act in accordance with the lock-keeper’s instructions.Navigation on the Aulne between the Rade de Brest and Guily-Glaz at low tide is not recommended because of the risk of grounding, and passing through the lock at low tide is not permitted.

8

Description of a lock

Reproduction courtesy of Loire-Atlantique County Council

Upstream reach

Paddle gear

Upstream gate

Bollard

Gate crank

Lock chamber

Side wall of lock

Lock platform

Lock-keeper’s house

Downstream gate

Paddle

Mooring ring

Lock bottom

Traffic signal

Multi-purpose path

Private area

Downstream reach

9

At the lock at Guily-Glaz every boat-master must present himself on arrival to the duty officer for the purposes of identification and information (planned route, intended mooring, security instructions…).

Passing through other locksGoing through other locks on the canal requires use of a windlass to open and close the paddles on the lock gates. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. It is not recommended that one person alone undertakes this manoeuvre.To get a windlass it is necessary to contact SMATAH in advance and then to fetch the item, either from the lock at Guily-Glaz or the headquarters of SMATAH at Lock Bizernic at

Châteauneuf-du-Faou. A cheque for the €60 security deposit will be necessary in exchange for the crank handle.

How to take a boat through the lock Preliminaries: always leave the lock chamber empty and the downstream gates open after your passage. If two boats (one downstream and the other upstream) arrive at the same time to pass through the lock, the boat going upstream has priority, that is, the one approaching from the downstream reach.

The lock at Guily-Glaz is open between 7.30am and 9pm from April 1st to October 31st and between 9am and 7pm between November 1st and March 31st. Boats must arrive at least 15 mi-nutes before the end of service.

ATTENTION

PLEASE NOTE

To contact SMATAH

MAiSON éCLUSièRe De BizeRNiG

BP 37 - 29520 CHÂTeAUNeUF-DU-FAOU

02 98 73 40 31

to contact

LOCK GUiLy-GLAz

02 98 86 03 21

10

if you are in a boatdownstream of the lock1. Enter the lock and moor your boat to the mooring

rings or bollards* provided for this purpose.2. Close the downstream gates and the paddles

using the windlass to activate the gear. (Wind the rod down – don’t let it drop as this damages the paddles.)

3. Open the paddles in the upstream gates with the windlass. When filling the lock chamber, the large volume of water will form a current, so you need to check your moorings constantly.

4. When the right level of water is reached – i.e. the level in the chamber is the same as that of the upstream reach - you can open the upstream gates.

5. Bring the boat out and then tie up further on near the bank because it is now necessary to empty the lock chamber.

6. Close the upstream gates as well as the paddles with the aid of the windlass. (Wind the rod down– don’t let it drop as this damages the paddles.)

7. Open the paddles in the downstream gates.8. When the level of the water in the chamber

is the same as that of the downstream reach, open the downstream gates.

9. Then return to your boat and continue your journey.

if you are in a boatin upstream of the lock1. Moor upstream from the lock near the bank.2. Close the downstream gates and paddles

with the aid of the windlass. (Wind the rod down - don’t let it drop as this damages the paddles.)

3. Open the upstream paddles.4. When the water is level – i.e. the level in the

lock chamber is the same as the upstream reach, you can open the upstream gates.

5. Bring the boat into the chamber and tie up using the mooring rings or bollards provided for this purpose.

6. Close the upstream gates and paddles. (Wind the rod down – don’t let it drop as this damages the paddles.)

7. Open the downstream paddles. During the emptying of the chamber, the large volume of water forms a current so you need to keep a constant check on your moorings.

8. When the level of water in the chamber is the same of that of the downstream reach, open the downstream gates.

9. Then return to your boat and continue your journey.

* See the plan on page 8

11

Mooring a boat on the Nantes-Brest Canal is possible all year round and needs no authorisation for periods of less than a month.To moor on the canal for longer than a month requires an authorization of temporary occupation on a public waterway (AOT) provided by the Department of Finistère. This authorization is subject to payment of a licence fee, the amount in proportion to the length of the boat and the duration of the mooring (maximum one year).

MOORING ON THE REACH OF GUILY-GLAZ

Obtaining a mooring permit does not grant access to a numbered place. The choice of mooring is left to the pleasure-boater, within the marked zones de-creed by the Mairie of Port Launay. Maps showing these zones can be consulted at the Mairie of Port Launay or Lock Guily-Glaz. They are also available for download on the website of the Department of Finistère.The commune of Port Launay offers pleasure-boa-ters a provision of drinking water and electricity. These (paying) services can be requested from:The Agence Postale of Port Launay in Place Gene-ral du Gaulle, open 8.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Saturday. This service is charged at €5 a day or €90 a month.

Mooring a boat on the canal

PLEASE NOTETo contact

the Department of Finistere

Service des politiques territoriales de l’eau

02 98 76 26 54Mairie de Port-Launay

02 98 16 11 86

you will find a pull-out request form for mooring authorisation on the central pages.

PLEASE NOTE

12

MOORING ON OTHER REACHESMooring on other reaches of the Nantes-Brest Canal is only permitted at the mooring berths designed for that purpose. The main sites for mooring are indicated on the map of the canal in this guide. (page 4 and 5)

On all sections of the canal, mooring a boat in the naviga-tion channel or less than 200m upstream or downstream of a lock are strictly forbidden.

PLEASE NOTE

Pull-out form to request a permit for mooring on public waterways

HANDY FORM

Form to be sent to : Subdivision B

lavet et Canal de N

antes à Brest – 1 avenue du C

omm

andant Am

eil – 56140 MA

LESTRO

IT CED

EX Téléphone : 02 97 75 12 45 – Télécopie : 02 97 75 16 72

NA

NTES-B

REST C

AN

AL

FO

RM

FOR

REQ

UESTIN

G PER

MISSIO

N FO

R M

OO

RIN

G O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y C

ompulsory for all m

ooring periods longer than one month

Place of requested mooring

Duration of requested m

ooring

Reach :

1 year Less than 1 year / from

: to :

Identity of boat D

imensions of boat

Nam

e :

Registration num

ber :

Hom

e port :

Length :

m

Width

: m

Draught

: m

Height above

the water line

: m

Ow

ner of the boat Person in charge of the boat 1

To note if the owner lives outside Finistère

Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :

Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :

1This refers to the person responsible for the boat under the terms of article 13 of the general regulation of the inland navigation police of S

eptember

26th 2011. This person must be able to take action concerning the boat w

ithin a maxim

um of 24 hours at the request of the authorities (w

ho will in all

cases inform the ow

ner). In the absence of information to the contrary, this person is assum

ed to be the owner of the boat.

D

ocuments to provide :

• Identification of ow

ner (copy of identity card, passport, driving licence), •

Copy of the registration certificate of the boat,

• C

opy of a valid insurance certificate for the boat, mentioning the follow

ing cover: −

Civil responsibility of the boat ow

ner −

Cost of recovering the boat (re-floating and lifting of the rem

ains in case of shipwreck)

• A

colour photo of the boat taken within the last tw

elve months.

B

Y THE PR

ESENT D

OC

UM

ENT, I TH

E UN

DER

SIGN

ED, MR/M

RS/M

S……………

. REQ

UEST A

UTH

OR

ISATIO

N O

F TEMPO

RA

RY

OC

CU

PATIO

N O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y FOR

MO

OR

ING

MY B

OA

T AN

D I A

GR

EE TO PA

Y THE R

EQU

IRED

LICEN

CE FEE.

DA

TE AN

D SIG

NA

TUR

E OF TH

E OW

NER

PREC

EDED

BY TH

E HA

ND-W

RITTEN

WO

RD

S “REA

D A

ND

AG

REED” :

AT…

………………………………

ON

THE …

…………………………

.

Signature of ow

ner S

ignature of the person responsible for the boat, if so designated


lavet et Canal de N


omm

andant Am

eil – 56140 MA

LESTRO

IT CED


NA

NTES-B

REST C

AN

AL

FO

RM

FOR

REQ

UESTIN

G PER

MISSIO

N FO

R M

OO

RIN

G O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y C

ompulsory for all m




ooring

Reach :


: to :

Identity of boat D

imensions of boat

Nam

e :

Registration num

ber :

Hom

e port :

Length :

m

Width

: m

Draught

: m

Height above

the water line

: m

Ow



Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :

Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :


eptember


ithin a maxim


ho will in all

cases inform the ow



D





• C


ing cover: −


ner −



• A


elve months.

B

Y THE PR

ESENT D

OC

UM

ENT, I TH

E UN

DER

SIGN

ED, MR/M

RS/M

S……………

. REQ

UEST A

UTH

OR

ISATIO

N O

F TEMPO

RA

RY

OC

CU

PATIO

N O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y FOR

MO

OR

ING

MY B

OA

T AN

D I A

GR

EE TO PA

Y THE R

EQU

IRED

LICEN

CE FEE.

DA

TE AN

D SIG

NA

TUR

E OF TH

E OW

NER

PREC

EDED

BY TH

E HA

ND-W

RITTEN

WO

RD

S “REA

D A

ND

AG

REED” :

AT…

………………………………

ON

THE …

…………………………

.

Signature of ow

ner S



lavet et Canal de N


omm

andant Am

eil – 56140 MA

LESTRO

IT CED


NA

NTES-B

REST C

AN

AL

FO

RM

FOR

REQ

UESTIN

G PER

MISSIO

N FO

R M

OO

RIN

G O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y C

ompulsory for all m




ooring

Reach :


: to :

Identity of boat D

imensions of boat

Nam

e :

Registration num

ber :

Hom

e port :

Length :

m

Width

: m

Draught

: m

Height above

the water line

: m

Ow



Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :

Surnam

e :

First name :

Adress :

P

ostcode :

Com

mune :

Date of birth :

Hom

e phone :

Mobile phone :

Em

ail :


eptember


ithin a maxim


ho will in all

cases inform the ow



D





• C


ing cover: −


ner −



• A


elve months.

B

Y THE PR

ESENT D

OC

UM

ENT, I TH

E UN

DER

SIGN

ED, MR/M

RS/M

S……………

. REQ

UEST A

UTH

OR

ISATIO

N O

F TEMPO

RA

RY

OC

CU

PATIO

N O

N TH

E PUB

LIC W

ATER

WA

Y FOR

MO

OR

ING

MY B

OA

T AN

D I A

GR

EE TO PA

Y THE R

EQU

IRED

LICEN

CE FEE.

DA

TE AN

D SIG

NA

TUR

E OF TH

E OW

NER

PREC

EDED

BY TH

E HA

ND-W

RITTEN

WO

RD

S “REA

D A

ND

AG

REED” :

AT…

………………………………

ON

THE …

…………………………

.

Signature of ow

ner S


17

What to do in the event of river and maritime flooding

ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH WATER LEVELS IN THE CANAL (outside the reach of Guily-Glaz and the tidal Aulne)

Boaters must ensure that the water level in the canal is compatible with navigation. The necessary information is made clear by a three-coloured water-level scale on the side-wall of each lock.

Navigation is possible as long as the water level does not exceed the black line (which is 0.50m above the weir). Navigation in full reach is still allowed at a distance of more than 100m upstream and downstream of the locks.

BE AWARE OF RISKS IN THE REACH OF GUILY-GLAZ AND THE TIDAL AULNE

The reach of Port-Launay at the end of the tidal Aulne estuary like all the canal is subject to the risk of flooding but can also be the object of marine flooding linked to the conjunction of exceptional events: low atmospheric pressures, westerly winds and high value tidal coefficients. The Department of Finistère has created a mobile barrage by Lock Guily-Glaz. This makes it possible to decrease the level of the water in the event of flooding at Port-Launay and Châteaulin. Outside flood periods, the barrage regulates the water in the reach of Guily-Glaz between 3.25m and 3.55m NGF (General Levelling of France).

The Nantes-Brest Canal harnesses the watercourses of the Kergoat, the Hyères and the Aulne. in some years it is subject to winter floods likely to cause significant damage to the locks and boats moored at mooring stations.

if the water level passes the colour red, carrying canoes/kayaks around the locks is obligatory.

ATTENTION

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A presentation of the workings of the mobile barrage at Guily-Glaz is available on the website of the De-partment of Finistère, rubric eau/Prévention et gestion des inonda-tions

PLEASE NOTE

During exceptional circumstances (tide of coefficient above 85 or flooding of the Aulne), the regulation operated at Guily-Glaz might prove insufficient to maintain the rating of 3.55m NGF. It is therefore requested that boat-owners keep themselves informed about the hydrologic condition of the Aulne via:- the national website Vigicrues- the advice of the inland waterways organisa-

tion disseminated by the State and available at Lock Guily-Glaz, the Mairie of Port-Launay and on the website of the Department of Finistère. (See useful links, page 22)

When the “Vigicrues” yellow alert level is reached on the Aulne, navigation on the reach of Guily-Glaz is forbidden and the only

acceptable movements of boats are those necessary to secure their safety.

Furthermore, all boat-owners moored on the Nantes-Brest Canal are asked to give a contact telephone number so they can be reached in an emergency if it is necessary to take action regarding their boat. At the State’s request, the Department can, in exceptional circumstances, carry out a partial or total emptying of the reach which requires boat-owners to act within 24 hours.

For this purpose it is requested that boat-owners resident outside Finistère designate an authorised person to take action regarding their boat within 24 hours.

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Discover the CanalUsing five former lock-houses along the canal, SMATAH offers you the chance to discover all aspects of this waterway.

Lock-house at Kergoatthe flora of the canal

Saint-HerninPort of Carhaix

Follow the towpath bordered by trees, some-times as much as 100 years old, to reach this lock-house which explores the theme of flora. You can learn how to identify the 7000 trees growing along the canal before taking a break in the herb garden with its many scents perfu-ming the waterway.

Lock-house Pont-Triffenhistory of the canal

Cléden-PoherPont-Triffen

This old lock-house situated at the confluence of natural and canalised waters will facilitate understanding of the prevalent issues during the canalisation of the waters of the Aulne and the Hyères. Come and discover the workings of a historical heritage that was built 200 years ago using cutting edge techniques of the time.

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Lock-house Bizernic Canal management

Châteauneuf-du-FaouBizernic

This lock-house is home to the Syndicat Mixte d’Aménagement Touristique de l’Aulne et de l’Hyères (SMATAH). This is the actual focal point of the Syndicate’s work so its mission is presented here, and, new for this year, an information site on events and the discovery centres…

Lock-house RosveguenLife of a lock-keeper in the old days

LennonTy-Men

Discover the golden age of the Breton wa-terways through traditional ways of life and working practices. The exhibition, complete with scale models, plans and a variety of do-cuments will take you back through 200 years of life along the canal. Come and discover how “water and electricity” work together in an old hydro-electric station, still with the original ma-chinery.

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Lock-house AulneFauna of the canal

ChâteaulinPenn-ar-Pont

Lock ChâteaulinAquatic observatory for the canal’s migratory fish

Observatoire aquatiqueChâteaulin - Quai Charles de Gaulle

This lock-house, full of creatures that swim, fly or move along the ground, is the key to discover the great diversity of animal life along the canal.Fish, birds, rabbits and sheep await to help you discover the life of canal fauna, including the structure of the food chain and the habitats of endangered and protected species in Finistère.

Keep your feet dry and see the various fish that inhabit the Aulne, Brittany’s third largest coastal river. Combining a fish pass and a viewing-room, this observatory may allow you to come nose to nose with one of the large migratory fish which swim upriver after their long journey across the oceans. An innovative system of counting by video is also installed in this monitoring station.

PLEASE NOTEVisits to the Lock-houses and the Aquatic Observatory at Châteaulin are free and self-guided.

For more information: SMATAH 02 98 73 40 31

or www.smatah.fr

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Department of Finistère:www.finistere.fr → rubric eau et environnement/eau/Canal de Nantes à Brest

SMATAH:www.smatah.fr

Brittany Region:www.bretagne.fr → rubric Les politiques/Transports/Les voies navigables bretonnes

Association «Canaux de Bretagne»:www.canauxdebretagne.org

Vigicrues (information on flood risk):www.vigicrues.gouv.fr → secteur «Vilaine et côtiers bretons»

Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM):www.shom.fr

USEFUL LINKS

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CHÂTeAULiNBiKe HiReSports Cycl’Aulne 13 Grand Rue Tel. 02 98 86 12 50

CANOe HiReCanoe Kayak Club Kastellin Coatigaor Tel. 02 98 86 35 34

ROWiNGClub L’aviron châteaulinois Quai Robert Alba Tel. 02 98 86 33 25

SAiLiNG Association Korriganez Sailing barges on the Aulne 29150 Port-Launay Tel. 06 50 56 30 36 www.korriganez.com

RiDiNG CeNTReeSAT du Vieux-Bourg Le vieux bourg Tel. 02 98 16 10 97 www.vieux-bourg-chateaulin.fr

Tourist information CARHAiX Recollections of Central BrittanyGuided visitsRue BrizeuxTel. 02 98 99 38 14http://kreizbreizh.org

Bike stallsFree access in town centre and at the station in Carhaix

RiDiNG CeNTReSCentre équestre de la vallée de l’HyèresLessons, short and long rides - from 4 years of ageKerniguez Tel. 02 98 93 35 44 http://centre-equestre-carhaix.wifeo.com

Poney club du Poher Lessons, short and long rides - from 2 years of ageLe Minez Tel. 06 82 91 37 83 www.poney-club-du-poher.com

FiSHiNG SCHOOLKergalet Sign up at Carhaix Tourist Office before noon on FridaysTel. 02 98 93 04 42

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PLONéVez-DU-FAOURiDiNG CeNTReDomaine de Méros Rides, excursions, riding breaks...Le Méros Tel. 06 81 02 63 33 www.domainedemeros.com

SAiNT-GOAzeCDomaine de Trévarez Park and châteauTel. 02 98 26 82 79 www.cdp29.fr

SAiNT-HeRNiNRiDiNG CeNTReFerme équestre La Haie Du La Haie Du tel. 02 98 81 74 41 www.ferme-equestre-lahaiedu.com

SAiNT-THOiSUlamir Canoe centre - For groupsStervinou Tel. 02 98 73 20 76

SPézeTBotanical Garden of the Montagnes noiresGuided and self-guided visit to the arboretum, activities

CHÂTeAULiN suiteFiSHiNG SCHOOLTel. 02 98 86 78 10

CHÂTeAUNeUF-DU-FAOUAulne Loisirs Plaisance Canoes, quadracycles and mountain bike rentalBoat cruises, refreshmentsPenn ar Pont Tel. 02 98 73 28 63 www.aulneloisirs.com

Ulamir Aulne For groups bike and canoe rental, archeryRue du Gledig Tel. 02 98 73 20 76 www.ulamir-aulne.com

LANDéVeNNeC Musée de l’ancienne AbbayeTel. 02 98 27 35 90

PLeyBeNNavigationCanoe and bike rentalOn towpathChemin du halage Tel. 02 98 73 34 69 www.clubnautique-pleyben.fr

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TOURiST OFFiCeS

Office de tourisme de Carhaix et HuelgoatRue Brizeux à Carhaix Tel. 02 98 93 04 42 Email : [email protected] www.huelgoat-carhaix-tourisme.com

Syndicat d’initiative de SpézetRue du Général de Gaulle Tel. 02 98 93 94 70 www.mairie-spezet.fr

Syndicat d’initiative de Landeleau 3 place de la Mairie Tel. 02 98 93 82 16 www.landeleau.org

Syndicat d’initiative de Plonévez-du-Faou 2 rue des Frères Floch Tel. 02 98 86 90 07 www.plonevezdufaou.fr

Office de tourisme de Châteauneuf-du-Faou Place Ar SegalTel. 02 98 81 83 90 Email: officedutourisme.chateauneufdufaou@wanadoo.frwww.chateauneuf-du-faou.com

Office de tourisme de Pleyben 11 place Charles de Gaulle Tel. 02 98 26 71 05 Email: [email protected] www.mairiepleyben.fr

Le Fell Tel. 02 98 93 88 69 www.coniferes-parc.com

Permanent exhibition « The stories of butter » Pôle culturel de la Maison Bleue Tel. 02 98 93 94 70 Free entry

TRéGARVANMuseum of the Rural School in BrittanyKergroas Tel. 02 98 26 04 72 www.musee-ecole.fr

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Office de tourisme intercommunal de l’Aulne et du Porzay (Cast, Châteaulin, Dinéault, Ploeven, Plomodiern, Plonevez-Porzay, Port-Launay, Quéménéven, Saint-Coulitz, Saint-Nic, Trégarvan) 4 place Saint-Yves 29550 Plomodiern Tel. 02 98 81 27 37 Email: [email protected] www.aulne-porzay-tourisme.com

Office de tourisme communautaire de l’Aulne Maritime(Le Faou, Pont-de-Buis-lès-Quimerc’h, Saint- Ségal, Rosnoën) 15 June - 15 September39 rue du Général de Gaulle au Faou Tel. 02 98 81 06 85 Email: [email protected] www.cc-aulne-maritime.fr

Please send your experiences and best photos to the address [email protected]. These will help to enhance and illustrate the next edition of this guide.

If you have enjoyed the Nantes-Brest Canal…

Conseil départemental du Finistère - Direction de la communicationCrédits photos : Lamoureux/EPAGA – Archives départementales du Finistère - Fonds Villard – SMATAH - S. Bourcier – P. Torset — Traduction : Wendy Mewes / Brittany heritage services — 2015

Département du FinistèreDirection de l’aménagement, de l’eau, de l’environnement et du logementService des politiques territoriales de l’eau

32 boulevard Dupleix - CS 29029 Tél. 02 98 76 26 54 29 196 Quimper Cedex Courriel : [email protected]

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