08. Circuit du canal et de la rigole d'Hilvern
Route details
Description
The Hilvern channel is linked to an old dream: that of inland navigation! In order to supply the Nantes to Brest canal with water all year round, more than 400 people carried out this work from 1828 to 1838. The banks of the channel, the towpaths and counter-towpaths offer walking routes along the 'infinity.
08. Hilvern Canal and Ditch Tour
Distance:14,0 km
Your itinerary
Step 1: Hilvern Rigole
The Hilvern channel is an enormous diversion reach of the Oust. Testimony
of remarkable technicality (regular slope of 0,3 mm/m), this structure winds over 64 km between Bosméléac and Saint-Gonnery. Its purpose was to supply the canal from Nantes to Brest dug artificially on the relief which
separates the Rohan basin and that of Pontivy. It was therefore necessary to supply water to operate the numerous locks which allowed the passage of
boats from one valley to another.
Step 2: Branguily Forest
The Branguily forest is the remnant of the dense forest where Saint Gonnery established his hermitage. Over the centuries, its history will evolve between strategic location,
hiding place or military camp and belonged from the 18th until the beginning of the 19th century to the Rohan stronghold. Today, the Branguily forest, which represents a massif of 450 hectares, offers rich vegetation through its oak groves and pine forests.
Step 3: Nantes-Brest Canal and its lock ladders
The construction of the canal was decided in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte. This work
of scale must compensate for the risks generated by the presence at sea of troops
English and also makes it possible to open up Breton ports and arsenals. He will
respond to the strategic and economic project initially launched: exchanges are thus encouraged, barges hauled by horses then transport groceries,
wine, sand, slates, potatoes, etc. Until 1842, when the canal opened to navigation, engineers and workers worked with difficulty on the construction of the 54 locks that were found over 20 km between Rohan and Pontivy.
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