River boat & license-free river boat charter Glenac
Last updated on 8 April 2025
Located in the north-west of France, in the department of Morbihan, the commune of Glénac offers a strategic point of departure for cruise enthusiasts. A deck where several rivers meet, such as the Vilaine and the Nantes-Brest canal, Glénac invites you to discover all the splendor of Brittany through its natural sites and remarkable historical gems.
A village with character in the La Gacilly region
Stretched along the Aff and crossed by the Oust river, in the heart of the Morbihan moors, the town of Glénac benefits from a marina on the bank of the Oust where you can drop anchor and explore the green Aff valley. Proudly asserting its character with its old-fashioned houses with gleaming shutters, the village is immersed in a picturesque setting. It reveals itself at the end of a short stroll that leads metowards a few imposing buildings, such as the 15th-century Château de la Forêt-Neuve and the 16th-century Château de Sourdéac.
As they move away from the city center, eco-tourists will enjoy strolling through the heart of the Jardin du Marais in La Gacilly and the Yves Rocher Botanical Garden, a true haven of biodiversity occupying an area of 2 hectares in the heart of Brittany. On the banks of the Aff, vacationers can veer off on various fun activities such as kayak trips that take them behind the scenes of nature.
The pearls of Brittany
At the crossroads of many of France's rivers, Glénac is a recommended starting point for discovering Brittany's most beautiful treasures by boat. River cruises from Glénac will take you along the famous Nantes-Brest canal, past a succession of picturesque villages and natural sites.
Going up the canal, you reach the commune of Redon, located about ten kilometers from Glénac. in Redon, activities are concentrated around the port, the historic center and along the Vilaine, whose banks are lined with pretty 18th-century houses. Nature lovers should stop off at the Île au Pie nature park. This geological curiosity consists of a string of islets at the confluence of the Oust and the Nantes-Brest canal. With a diverse landscape dotted with steep cliffs, the park offers you a moment of active relaxation, both on the rock and on the water. Climbing, hiking on foot or by bike along the waterways, fishing and canoeing are all on the agenda.
Then linger in the town of Josselin, a historic town characterized by its magnificent fortress, the Château des Rohan, which has been reflected in the peaceful waters of the Oust since the 15th century. The history of France can also be discovered along the quiet streets of the village of Malestroit, through which the Oust flows, lined with charming half-timbered houses dating from the 15th century. Following the Vilaine downstream for almost 40 km, you will reach the port of La Roche-Bernard, where you can discover the old riggings and traditional boats that sail along the Vilaine during the Vilaine en Féte, an event held in May.