The watchword here is 'serenity'. The canal was built in the 19th century to provide a link between the ports of Nantes, Brest and Lorient. Until the coming of the railways the canal carried a large volume of water traffic.
Today the canal is a perfect place for an outing. You could take a pleasure boat or a canoe on the canal or travel along the towpath on foot, horseback or bike from the Quiheix lock at Nort-sur-Erdre as far as Fégréac, passing many locks along the way.
As you go along, stop off at some of the moorings, leisure centres and pools that will be found all the way along the route of the canal. Between Blain and Guenrouët, the meanderings of the canal give it a different appearance.
Nearby, you can walk up beside the feeder channel as far as the Vioreau reservoir (at Joué-sur-Erdre). Before you actually reach Brittany, don't miss the Rocher de la Vache at Sévérac: this megalithic site gives access to an unexpected panoramic view of the Vilaine marshlands!
La Martinière Canal
It is officially known as the Basse-Loire Maritime Canal and its construction goes back to the 19th century. At that time it ran between Paimboeuf and Le Pellerin, solving the problem of the silting-up of the Loire in the port of Nantes, but the commercial traffic that made it worthwhile ceased at the beginning of the 20th century.
The canal then became a boat graveyard and subsequently an ideal place for walk or bike ride, situated on the 'Loire by Bike' cycle route.
As you go along, stop off at some of the moorings, leisure centres and pools that will be found all the way along the route of the canal. Between Blain and Guenrouët, the meanderings of the canal give it a different appearance.
Nearby, you can walk up beside the feeder channel as far as the Vioreau reservoir (at Joué-sur-Erdre). Before you actually reach Brittany, don't miss the Rocher de la Vache at Sévérac: this megalithic site gives access to an unexpected panoramic view of the Vilaine marshlands!
La Martinière Canal
It is officially known as the Basse-Loire Maritime Canal and its construction goes back to the 19th century. At that time it ran between Paimboeuf and Le Pellerin, solving the problem of the silting-up of the Loire in the port of Nantes, but the commercial traffic that made it worthwhile ceased at the beginning of the 20th century.
The canal then became a boat graveyard and subsequently an ideal place for walk or bike ride, situated on the 'Loire by Bike' cycle route.
