RED
DOG BOOKS
The NANTES-BREST CANAL
a Red Dog Brittany guide
Foreword and Introduction by Wendy Mewes
£8.99
13.50 euros
Book Details:
Spiral bound 128 pages
Language: English
ISBN: 978 0 9536001 9 9
Dimensions: 210 x 135mm
Illustrations: maps, colour photos, diagrams
SOLD OUT
New edition on the way for Spring/Summer 2012
(meanwhile there are still a few copies of this edition for sale in retail outlets in Brittany)
FREE
postage on 2 books or more*
Book description
This handy, spiral-bound guide provides an invaluable reference source for both long-distance walkers and cyclists, and those who simply enjoy ambling by water. It covers the full 365km towpath route across Brittany. A full introduction traces the history of the canal from its origins in Napoleonic times and construction early in the 19th century, through a brief economic heyday and tragic decline, to today’s role as an outstanding leisure resource. The main part of the book gives a section by section analysis of the canal, indicating the towpath route, locks, road junctions and towns and villages on the way. Useful and interesting information about the canal and all its attributes is interspersed throughout the text. Practicalities to assist visitors in planning their trip include details of accommodation (hotels, B&Bs, hostels, camping, etc.) and sources of refreshments and provisions close to the canal, as well as details of places of interest to visit in the vicinity.
Reviews
Very well set out and has a handy ring binder which allows easy use while on holiday without having to bend the book. Gives a lot of information about all areas of the canal. Would recommend this book if you are thinking of traveling to this area to use the canal for walking or cycling...
Amazon review
Why are there no English canal guides as attractive as this one? It was a real pleasure to open this high quality publication and find maps artistically inset with colour photographs that effectively take you on a pictorial journey through the heart of Brittany. The snippets of text that are scattered alongside cleverly pick out every detail of interest. The book is said to be aimed primarily at towpath walkers and cyclists, and for them it is surely a well thought out practical guide, detailing distances, accommodation, restaurants and shops where essential provisions may be bought. Anyone planning a cruising holiday on the Nantes-Brest Canal would also do well to obtain a copy because it goes well beyond the literature offered by hire bases and would certainly add to the holiday. As for ourselves - it had us contemplating the possibility of taking our narrowboat across to Brittany next season. But perhaps it would be more sensible to stick to the towpath
Amazon review
At last, something in English about this canal! Living in Brittany I know my local section of the canal quite well but hadn't realised just how extensive it is until studying this guide - 365kms! The introduction gives the canal's history from the start of building in Napoleonic times to the present day and then the book consists of maps of the entire towpath, with details of places to stay and eat and get supplies. There are many interesting 'canal facts' on these pages - did you know the Nantes-Brest is twinned with the Wilts-Berks canal in England, for example? Or that the towpath does not extend to either Nantes or Brest? The presentation of information is excellent, with lots of colour photos showing the variety of the scenery and places to visit nearby, but also some old black and white pictures of the canal in earlier times. I really like the spiral binding, which makes carrying and consulting the book easy when walking. For planning a long walk this guide looks essential, but it will be equally useful just for days out and visiting interesting things along the route.
Amazon review
This timely guide to walks beside the Nantes-Brest Canal fills an obvious need in the market place. The canal provides one of the most popular places to walk in Central Brittany and this guide provides information about places of interest from one end of the canal to the other.... There is also an introduction by Wendy Mewes which answers questions about the building of the canal, how it was built, how it was used, and why it fell into decline. ...the book is spiral bound, making it easy to keep on the right page when one is out walking.
Central Brittany Journal
Other books by Wendy Mewes
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