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Châteauneuf-du-Faou to Abbaye de Bon-Repos

By Melinda Lusmore

Châteauneuf-du-Faou to Abbaye de Bon-repos

From Châteauneuf-du-Faou, the Nantes à Brest canal continues eastward, reaching the Abbaye de Bon-Repos 77.6 kilometres (48.5 miles) later.

Accommodation is somewhat scattered along this section but there are options available at Port de Carhaix, Saint-Péran, Pont-Auffret, Plélauff, Gouarec and the Abbaye de Bon-Repos.

If you can ride a bike (which I can’t – so my assumptions may be well off the mark), I imagine it’s possible to cover this section in a day and a bit. Be sure to allow at least an hour or two to visit the abbey.

What will you see along the way?

Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

The old bridge across the canal at Châteauneuf-du-Faou.

Museum at Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

A short distance past Châteauneuf-du-Faou, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to the history of the canal. The exhibits are in French and I found the technical vocabulary well beyond my language skills but the photos and memorabilia provided a fascinating glimpse into a bygone time.

Écluse 218 Bizernig, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Lock house at Écluse 218 Bizernig (next to the museum).

Écluse 210 Pénity, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Moving on past Écluse 210 Pénity.

Écluse 209 Pont-Triffen, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Approaching Écluse 209 Pont-Triffen.

Port de Carhaix, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Port de Carhaix was once a busy port on the Nantes à Brest Canal, marking the end of the western section to the ocean.

Now that commercial traffic has ceased, it is a sleepy little port with not much going on!

Port de Carhaix, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

A tranquil corner of the canal at Port de Carhaix.

Tourist Office Carhaix-Plouguer, Brittany, France

From Pont de Carhaix, a shuttle bus service provides easy access to Carhaix-Plouguer—one of the larger towns along the way and an easy detour for groceries and bandaids.

The Tourist Office is worth a visit if only to admire the stone and timber carvings on this centuries-old building.

Carhaix-Plouguer, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Narrow street in Carhaix-Plouguer lined with beautifully preserved historic buildings.

Écluse 179 La Pie, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Approaching Écluse 179 La Pie.

Picnic tables at Écluse 179 La Pie, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Picnic tables beside the canal at Écluse 179 La Pie.

Écluse 179 La Pie, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

A sea of green punctuated by wild yellow iris near La Pie.

Écluse 166 Menguen, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Écluse 166 Menguen

La Grande Tranchée, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Between Ker Gérard and Pont-ar-Len, the land around the canal rises 23 metres in altitude. Normally, a series of locks would raise the water to the highest point but, along this three-kilometre section, six hundred convicts were put to work digging a channel through the hill.

Now heavily wooded, it is easy to walk along here and notice only the shade and the greenery and fail to appreciate that many lives were lost carving out this slice of tranquillity.

Écluse 152 Pont-Auffret, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Écluse 152 Pont-Auffret

Écluse 151 Kerjégu, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

For sale – Maison d’Éclusier at Écluse 151 Kerjégu.

Écluse 151 Kerjégu, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Écluse 151 Kerjégu – it’s been a long time since this water saw any movement.

Chapelle de la Pitié, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

On the far side of the canal between Écluse 147 Restouel and Écluse 146 Coat-Natous is the picturesque Chapelle de la Pitié

Chapelle de la Pitié, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

The chapel can be accessed from the towpath which follows along the other side of the canal.

My Miam Miam Dodo guidebook describes this path as “Intéressant en cas de soleil tapant!” which translates literally as “Interesting when the sun is shining!” I suppose that’s one way of describing it! 😉 

Chapelle de la Pitié, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

A closer look at Chapelle de la Pitié. Tucked away behind it is a little café serving afternoon tea and a chambre d’hôte offering overnight accommodation.

Écluse 142 Plélauff, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Storm clouds gathering over Écluse 142 Plélauff

Plélauff, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Just a few hundred metres from the canal is the village of Plélauff.

I sat here one afternoon, enjoying a cup of coffee when school let out for the day. No prizes for guessing that every school kid that passed by rang these church bells!

Écluse 141 Kerlouët, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Approaching Écluse 141 Kerlouët.

Approaching Bon-Repos, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

Approaching Écluse 138 Bon-Repos – looking lush and green after the rain.

Écluse 138 Bon-Repos, Nantes à Brest Canal, Brittany, France

The Abbaye de Bon-Repos – just visible beyond the bridge.

Where to next along the canals of Brittany?

Go back to –

Section 1: Port-Launay to Châteauneuf-du-Faou

Continue on to –

Section 3: Abbaye de Bon-Repos to Pontivy

Section 4: Pontivy to Hennebont  

For something equally flat and easy to walk…

You might also enjoy the Burgundy Canal or the Midi Canal 

For truly spectacular scenery right here in Brittany…

Follow the GR 34 along the coast from Camaret-sur-Mer to Audierne  

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About The Author – Melinda Lusmore

Hi! I’m Melinda, the walker behind I Love Walking in France. Nothing makes me happier than wandering through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside in rural France, and helping others to do the same. Whether you’re looking for practical tips or a little inspiration for your own long-distance walk, you’ll find everything you need right here. This website contains no sponsored posts or affiliate links. If I recommend a product, service or somewhere to stay, it’s because I’ve used it, loved it—and I think you will too!

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Are you dreaming of a walk through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside of rural France and don’t know where to start?

Download your FREE guide now!

3 Steps to the Perfect Long-distance Walk

Your details stay here - no walking EVER! It's a promise!

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