Discover Pontivy: Waterways and Napoleonic History

The Canal de Nantes à Brest and the canalised Blavet run through the town; at the same time, the imperial quarter was built under Napoleon. If you are looking for hotels in Pontivy, these features can help you prioritise your interests for your stay: would you particularly like to explore the waterways, or are the church and town history your main focus?

Waterways and finding your way around Pontivy

Both the Canal de Nantes à Brest and the canalised Blavet run through Pontivy. The two waterways meet at Îlot des Récollets, a useful landmark in the town. The Vélodyssée runs along the Canal de Nantes à Brest. For trip planning, this means you can associate the cycle route with the canal; the Blavet is the other, separately named waterway. This distinction helps you keep the two waterways and the cycle route’s connection to them separate.

The history of the Péniche Duchesse Anne

The Péniche Duchesse Anne has its own history as a vessel: it was launched on 21 November 1929 and had previously served as a cargo boat under the name Idéal. The tourist office is located on the péniche, where Vélodyssée passes can be stamped. If you would like to use this visitor service, check the relevant details before travelling. This helps distinguish the vessel’s history from its present-day role as the home of the tourist office.

Napoleonic quarter and Saint-Joseph

Pontivy’s imperial quarter was built under Napoleon. The imperial church of Saint-Joseph stands in the centre of a park in this quarter. It was built between 1860 and 1867 to designs by Parisian architect Marcellin-Emmanuel Varcollier. The church was a gift from Emperor Napoleon III following his visit to Napoléonville in August 1858. Contemporary stained-glass windows were installed in Saint-Joseph between 1991 and 1994. The gift, construction period and window installation are clearly distinct historical stages. The stained-glass windows were added more than a century after the church was built: their installation from 1991 to 1994 came after its construction between 1860 and 1867.

Tours at Château de Pontivy

Château de Pontivy is not open to the public all year round because renovation work is ongoing. During school holidays, guided tours are offered by the Office de Tourisme de Pontivy Communauté; reservations are required. The tours are seasonal, and access may change. So check access and tour availability for your planned visit before travelling.

Accommodation in town

Auberge de Jeunesse HI Pontivy is housed in a former mill on a small, green island in the town centre.

Discover more destinations: Penestin, Monteneuf, Saint-Servant, Roudouallec, Campénéac, Plouay, Carentoir, Saint-Dolay

For the main travel overview: Morbihan.