Crossed by the Ille-et-Rance canal, the small commune of Melesse belongs to the department of Ille-et-Vilaine. Located about twelve kilometers from Rennes, Melesse is a recommended destination if you enjoy navigating canals and rivers. A river cruise from Melesse will also give you the opportunity to discover Brittany's Celtic heritage.
Melesse and the Ille-et-Rance canal
Setting foot in Melesse is to treat yourself to a pleasant moment of relaxation, as a couple or with the family. With its bucolic setting and its houses of yesteryear, the village seems frozen in time. You only have to walk around the village to realize that history has not been kind. A history that is reflected in the half-timbered houses, which bear witness to the influence of country architecture.
The history of Melesse is also closely linked to that of the Ille-et-Rance canal. In the 19th century, at the time of the inauguration of the canal, the commune was one of the most densely populated in the vicinity of Rennes. Home to no fewer than 3,000 people, Melesse was booming thanks to its fertile soil. Navigation on the Ille-et-Rance canal slowly gained momentum. The traffic between Saint-Malo and Rennes allowed Melesse to develop its local economy. At the same time, the sound of the Talbourdines of Talbourdine resonate in the district of Ville-en-Bois, enabling Melesse to be the first village to be supplied with electricity thanks to a dynamo.
Nowadays, the Ille-et-Rance canal continues to help the town prosper, but in a completely different way. The canal now allows us to discover the pleasures of river tourism, while its shady banks are an invitation to take a walk, a bike ride or a picnic. Boatmen discover the charm of the flower-filled locks and a rich historical heritage, but can also try their hand at fishing and kayaking trips through the natural surroundings.
Your cruise on the Ille-et-Rance canal
Passing through the commune of Melesse, the Ille-et-Rance canal was inaugurated in 1832. Built during the reign of Louis XVI, the canal was intended to link the rivers Rance and Vilaine in order to facilitate the navigation of people and goods between the cities of Saint-Malo and Rennes. Comprising three main sections, the Ille-et-Rance CanalIlle-et-Rance canal is about 85 km long and has 48 locks, including the Bouessay lock in Melesse, where you can rent a small barge for a unique canal cruise.
Your cruise will give you the opportunity to discover unusual places in the countryside along the mooring points. You can leave your river boat at any time and take a short, peaceful stroll in the shade of the shafts. Among the picturesque villages and castles lining the banks, make a stop in the quiet town of Betton, halfway between Rennes and Melesse, dominated by the church of Saint-Martin. Going up the canal, you can also linger in the village of Montreuil-sur-Ille, home to several manor houses such as the 17th-century Manoir de la Touche.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 1 190 |
|---|---|
| Average price per week | $2,436 |
| Minimum weekly price | $794 |
| Maximum price per week | $4,662 |