Preparing your trip ~ ~ Accommodation ~ ~ Bike rental

A PRACTICAL GUIDE
TO THE NANTES BREST CANAL
BY BIKE
From Nort sur Erdre
Built under Napoleon to connect Nantes to
the two main Breton military ports, Brest and
Lorient, the Nantes-Brest Canal now provides
with great opportunities for outings along the
water. Its towpath constitutes a 360kilometer-long cycle route suited for all.
Discover its bridges, its locks, its water
supply reservoirs as you cycle along the
lovely banks of both natural rivers and
artificial sections.
~ Preparing your trip ~
The following documents will provide you with all the information needed to organise your trip:
maps, must-sees, accommodation and more!
• the book “La Bretagne par les voies vertes” published by Ouest France,
• the cycling guide “La Bretagne à vélo” - volume 2” published by Ouest France,
• the Cycle West network of cycle routes in north west France and south west England,
• “The Nantes-Brest Canal: A Guide for Cyclists and Walkers” published by Red Dog
Books
• the "Voies Vertes de Bretagne" map published by CRT Bretagne (Brittany Regional
Tourism Committee)
~ Accommodation ~
Click here to get a list of the various accommodation possibilities offered to you once you are
in the Nort sur Erdre area.
~ Bike rental ~
In Nort sur Erdre, you can rent a bike for your adventure along the Canal at the following
addresses. You will also be able to get your own bike repaired there if needed.
Nort Plaisance
QUIRION Xavier Pierre
4 Place du Bassin
Bd Charbonneau et Rouxeau
44390 Nort sur Erdre
44390 Nort sur Erdre
+33 (0)2 40 29 52 22
+33 (0)2 40 29 54 70
~ Train & bike ~
On TER regional trains, you can load your bike for free, subject to the number of available
places. You remain in charge of your bike during transport. In order to stay on schedule, it is
advised that you arrive at least 20 minutes before departure so as not to obstruct other
passengers.
If you can disassemble your bike, you may travel with it without any extra fee, as long as it is
in a box measuring less than 120 x 90 cm. It will be considered as regular luggage and placed
on the luggage racks.
On TGV trains, you must book a place for your bike when you buy your tickets. You will be
charged 10€.
More information is available on velo.sncf.com
For information in English, call +33 (0)8 92 35 35 35
~ Getting there ~
> From Nantes
From Nantes, you can take a bus (LILA, lines 40 and 41) to get to Nort sur Erdre. However,
you cannot load your bike on a bus.
By bike, you may follow the Vélodyssée ® route which will take you to Nort sur Erdre. (38kms)
Look for the
sign. You will arrive at the lock of Quiheix, in the south of Nort sur Erdre −
the first lock on the Canal. Once the Canal, you can continue the Vélodyssée route until Blain
(28kms).
Starting in 2013, you will be able to join Nort sur Erdre via the tram-train line, where you will
be able to load your bike for free, subject to the number of available places.
> From Nort sur Erdre
You arrived in Nort sur Erdre and are now ready to begin your adventure along the Canal.
From the city centre, the quickest way is to follow the D16 (towards Héric); you will find the
Canal after 2kms. You may also follow the D164 towards Blain to arrive at the lock of La
Rabinière. A third access is located 6kms from the centre, on the D26 towards Casson, at the
bridge of Vive-Eve, where you will also find a car park.
If you arrived by car, you may leave it in summer storage at the camping site while you are off
on your cycling adventure. (Rates for 2012: 2.20€ per day from May 1 to June 15; 3.80€ per
day from June 16 to September 15).