If you are in the Rade de Brest area and you have the time, this is a good trip to do.

Inspired by the John Boyle video, we carried out most of this trip in May 2019. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrxgDPjNJ8Q

You travel to the mouth of the river which is to the South East of the Rade de Brest area. After going past the headland of Landévennec, there are some wide almost 270 degree turns and you then see the old, derelict French navy ships which are awaiting their fate. Before this, you should decrease to the 6 knot speed limit for the River, although there are no signs showing where it starts.

When you go under a beautiful concrete bridge (winner of a beautiful concrete bridge award), that is the time to call the Guilly Glaz lockkeeper on 02.98.86.03.21.

He does speak some English and you will need to let him know your time of arrival. You may have to leave a bit more time for the last mile as that is the shallowest part.

Once through the lock, you reach Port Launay which seems to be a nice, picturesque village with a Town Hall.

They directed us further downstream to a building number 21 which has the notices for the moorings together with a machine which issues tokens for the electric, water and showers. The electric lasts for 4 hours per token and you can put in more than one so you do not have to get up during the night.

Chateaulin has a railway station which is only 20mins from Quimper, a delightful old Town.

2025 update

A new visitors pontoon was installed at Chautelain in 2023 which has space for at least four moderately sized yachts. Very pucker, clean and well built. No charges as far as we are aware, save for power and water. On the western bank, only 100 metres from the L’Eclerc Hypermarche. Just downstream of where the old reputedly slightly rickety and smaller pontoon was, which is no longer there. Water and electricity available on the pontoon by token as in Port Launay, though just now the supply is out of action.

Thanks Graham for the update and photos