After enjoying a tour of Rennes, the lively Breton capital, head out of town to follow the route along the Vilaine River. The way out of Rennes is gentle, taking you close to Apigné’s recreational lakes. Then, passing through Pont-Réan and Le Boël you can fully appreciate the charms of the Vilaine Valley, with its former mills, its locks and its attractive villages. The route is still being completed at time of writing, but is easy to follow.

At Guipry-Messac, historically a significant port for transporting salt (once a precious commodity) inland, admire the imposing central mill on its island before continuing along the former towpath by the Vilaine. One highlight is Les Corbinières, a remarkable natural site with steep wooded sides. There are several river ports at which to enjoy a break along the Vilaine. The stage ends at Redon, an historic town at the confluence of the Vilaine and the Canal de Nantes à Brest.