Malestroit on the Nantes-Brest Canal

Malestroit combines a protected historic town area with Île Notre-Dame, the Oust, and the Nantes-Brest Canal. It also has historic buildings, traces of its trading past, and markets offering fresh produce and local specialties. When planning your trip, you can decide which of these highlights to prioritize based on whether you are more interested in architecture, a longer cycling route, time on the water, or the market offerings.

Townscape, River, and Canal

Malestroit’s protected area, registered on February 26, 1971, includes the entire former town within the city walls, Île Notre-Dame, the left bank of the Oust from Pont neuf, and a section of the canal beyond the lock. Île Notre-Dame is surrounded by the Oust River.

The Nantes-Brest Canal, which runs through Malestroit, is part of a 390-kilometer, waymarked cycle route from Châteaulin to Nantes. This distance refers to the entire route, not just the section in Malestroit.

The Malestroit canoe and kayak club rents kayaks in summer for outings on the water lasting from one hour to a full day. Since rentals are seasonal, check the current operating dates before your trip.

When planning, the main difference between the two activities is their scale: the cycling route connects endpoints far apart, while kayak rentals are intended for outings lasting from one hour to a full day.

Trading History and Culture

Goods from different places of origin were once traded in the now-vanished market halls at Place du Bouffay: salt from the salt marshes of Guérande, leather tanned downstream from the town, and cloth and fabrics woven in Malestroit and the surrounding countryside. The trading history thus links goods from Guérande and the area downstream with textile production in Malestroit and the surrounding area.

Le Pass’temps comprises several buildings dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries and provides access to exhibition rooms and an auditorium. Beyond the lock is the Maison de l’eau et de la pêche, a museum with four large aquariums.

The key difference when choosing between the two places is clear: Le Pass’temps offers exhibition rooms and an auditorium, while the Maison de l’eau et de la pêche has four large aquariums.

The façades and roofs of the Maison à boutique, dite de la Truie qui file (3, place du Bouffay; 38, rue du Général-de-Gaulle), have been protected as historic monuments since the decree of October 17, 1923. The Chapelle de la Madeleine is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Weekly Markets and Produce

Malestroit’s weekly markets offer fresh produce and local specialties in the historic center. The Saturday market takes place year-round and includes fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and cheese. Check the date and opening hours before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Quéven, Calan, Plouay, Lanvaudan, Nivillac, Plouharnel, Monterblanc, Plumergat.

For the broader travel guide: Morbihan.