The Nantes-Brest canal (Canal de Nantes à Brest) is a French canal which links the two cities of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany. It was built during the 19th century and its total length is 385 km with 238 locks from coast to coast. The western portion of the canal is also known as Branche Finistèrienne.
The original idea of such a canal is dated from the 16th century but it's only when Brest was blockaded by the English fleet that Napo...
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The Nantes-Brest canal (Canal de Nantes à Brest) is a French canal which links the two cities of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany. It was built during the 19th century and its total length is 385 km with 238 locks from coast to coast. The western portion of the canal is also known as Branche Finistèrienne.
The original idea of such a canal is dated from the 16th century but it's only when Brest was blockaded by the English fleet that Napoleon I of France decided to build this canal to assure a safe inland link between the two largest military ports of the French Atlantic front. Building started in 1811, and Napoleon III of France presided over the canal's opening in 1858.
In 1923 the route of the canal was broken by the Guerledan dam. Navigation is no longer possible between Maël-Carhaix and Pontivy. The lake flooded the uppermost portion of the canal for some 8 km along with 17 locks.
The canal utilizes the following rivers, west to east:
Break at Lake Guerlédan
Total length...
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