Barging in France
Brittany: Nymphea's Barge Cruise Highlights
Brittany's waterways wind through the heart of a land steeped in history and tradition. From grand châteaux and cobbled market squares to rolling countryside and artisan crafts, this is a region that feels wonderfully authentic. With a distinct culture and proud maritime heritage, Brittany offers a fascinating blend of Celtic roots and French refinement.
This unique itinerary combines the charm of small villages with memorable excursions – from Château de Josselin and the flower-filled streets of Rochefort-en-Terre to a Michelin-starred dining experience and a traditional cider tasting. Along the way, you'll enjoy peaceful cruising, regional cuisine, and the gentle rhythms of rural France.
Château de Josselin
The Château de Josselin has been the residence of the Rohan family since the Middle Ages and is one of the most famous castles in Brittany.
The building of the first castle began around 1008 on a rocky promontory overlooking the valley of the Oust. The site chosen for the castle was excellent from both military and commercial points of view.
Over the centuries, the castle has been torn down and rebuilt many times.
In the 18th century, it was no longer occupied as a seat of power. During the years of the French Revolution and the First French Empire, it became a prison and a warehouse. In 1822, Caroline, Duchess of Berry, persuaded the then Duke of Rohan, Louis-François de Rohan-Chabot to restore it. Thus, its sculpted granite façade built in the Renaissance and its interiors were entirely restored in the 19th century.
The estate with its medieval remains, including its three defensive towers overlooking the Nantes à Brest canal, its flamboyant Gothic sculpted granite facade, and its fully restored interiors, is inhabited but open to visitors. Surrounding the castle, you will find a landscaped garden of more than three hectares with its rose garden featuring forty varieties, its French-style garden, and its English park crossed by a stream.
In the Château's former stables, the Doll and Toy Museum showcases the collection of Duchess Herminie de Rohan. Each year, a thematic exhibition completes the permanent exhibition. Around 600 dolls and their accessories are on display, as well as numerous toys and games.
Menhirs de Monteneuf
The archaeological and natural heritage of Monteneuf's moorland is remarkable. The standing stones of Monteneuf in the middle of the gorse and heather, date back to the beginning of time. They stand close to the forest of Paimpol and add an extra touch of enchantment to the landscape.
These megaliths haven't always pointed skywards. In the year 1000, the church toppled the stones because they were considered too pagan and had no biblical basis. It was only in the 1980s, that archaeologists raised the stones back to their upright position.
Between the years 4,500 and 3,000 BC, man's first farmers sowed more than 420 megaliths across moorlands of the Paimpont Forest, also known as the mystical Brocéliande Forest. These monoliths of purple schist and lichen are set in clearings with gorse and short grass growing at their feet, stand in seven rows running from east to west. Nestled beneath the nearby trees are dolmens (stones lying flat on the ground) and burial chambers.
On the Menhirs of Monteneuf 7.5 hectare site, there is a menhir in the process of being excavated. At this archaeological site there are reconstructions, engineering techniques, and various workshops, about prehistoric man.
Le Vignoble de Rhuys – Dantelezh
Le Vignoble de Rhuys – Dantelezh is a contemporary organic winery located in Sarzeau within the Morbihan department of the Brittany region in northwestern France. The project was initiated by the local municipality to revive the area's historical winemaking tradition, which had largely disappeared around the 1950s. Marie Devigne and Guillaume Hagnier, a couple with experience in the Champagne region, were selected through the application process in 2019-2020 to lead the project.
The project involved significant investment from the Sarzeau commune, including the construction of a modern, architecturally distinct circular winery and the renovation of the old windmill.
The vineyard is situated on the Rhuys Peninsula (Presqu'île de Rhuys), an area bordering the Gulf of Morbihan and the Atlantic Ocean, around the historical Moulin du Poulhors (Poulhors Windmill).
Approximately 25,000 vines were planted in 2020, focusing on three specific grape varieties selected after soil analysis and considering successful wine regions at similar latitudes: Chardonnay (50%), Cabernet Franc (30%), and Chenin Blanc (20%). The vineyard is cultivated using organic agriculture methods. On a silty-clay soil and subsoil composed of mica schists, these grape varieties and rootstocks were rigorously selected by analyzing the terroir and wine regions aligned on the same latitude as the peninsula (Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley).
All vineyard work is carried out by hand and according to organic farming practices. The soil is nourished with local amendments (crushed oysters from Brittany and seaweed from the peninsula). Between the rows of vines, natural ground cover provides refuge areas for insects and contributes to soil health.
The wines are produced under the name "Dantelezh," a Breton word symbolizing handmade craftsmanship ("dentelle" meaning lace) and a nod to local heritage, with the label design based on a traditional local headdress. The first vintage, "Dantelezh 2022," was released in May 2023.
Maison Tiegezh
"Tiegezh" means "family" in Breton. The name is perfectly suited to this property which is steeped in history, passed down through the generations by a long line of family members with a passion for delicious food and drink. Midway between Vannes and Rennes, near the Forest of Brocéliande, chef Baptiste Denieul and his wife Marion welcome you to Maison Tiegezh. A place not to be missed with something for everyone: a Michelin-starred restaurant, a typically Breton bistro/delicatessen and a 4-star boutique hotel with a wellness area. Visit their website
Rochefort-en-Terre
Rochefort-en-Terre is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany. It is a designated "Petite Cité de Caractère" and one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France". Admire its cobbled streets, stylized shop signs, ramparts, castle, and ancient residences. Decorated with flowers, the town is lively all year round thanks to lovely boutiques, galleries and craft shops.
French Hotel Barge Nymphea
Discover the beauty, charm and Celtic spirit of Brittany aboard the French Hotel Barge Nymphea as you cruise along the peaceful canal and rivers of this enchanting region. Travelling the Canal de Nantes à Brest and its gentle tributaries, you will experience a side of France that few visitors see.
