On this, the shortest stage of the Tour de Manche, make for Le Gouët’s estuary. The route sticks to the Bay of Saint-Brieuc’s Nature Reserve. Red brick adds its tinge to the area. Take in the Brick Museum at St-Ilan, Cesson Tower and the view of the bascule bridge.

Starting at Yffiniac, at the bottom of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, strike south into the green countryside of inland Brittany. The route, along small roads, leads to the village of Allineuc and Bosméléac Reservoir, which used to provide the water for the Rigole d’Hilvern Channel, built to supply water to the Canal de Nantes à Brest.

The Rigole d’Hilvern Channel was originally built to supply the Canal de Nantes à Brest with water. Today the path beside it has been turned into a lovely greenway. From Bosméléac Reservoir, a peaceful track lined by tall beech trees and chestnut trees meanders through the countryside, past Saint-Thélo and Le Quillio, historic villages that reflect the rich industrial past of the area, where fine linen cloth was manufactured.

At Saint-Caradec, at the crossroads of Voie 6, the green Hilvern channel imposes its curves through the Breton countryside passing through Hémonstoir and Saint-Gonnery. The forest of Branguily and the Hilvern lock will mark the end of this picturesque and winding cycle route. All that remains for you to do is let yourself be guided by the canal from Nantes to Brest, punctuated by the numerous locks that can be found as far as Pontivy.

At Pontivy, the route leaves the Canal de Nantes à Brest to run alongside the canalized Blavet. This river meanders along between steep green hills, in a delightfully peaceful atmosphere. This stage is exclusively along greenways. The way is dotted with locks and mills, notably that of Le Roch.

This stage from Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux reveals all the authenticity of the Blavet. As you cycle along the river's meandering banks, you'll be able to appreciate the small religious and feudal heritage hidden along its banks. Every summer, during the "L'art dans les chapelles" festival, artists take over some twenty chapels.

The cycle route along the Blavet runs under a canopy of oak and chestnut trees. At Lochrist, the route passes the former forges of Hennebont, which you can discover by visiting the ecomuseum. The beautiful flower-lined lock at Polvern marks the end of the canalized Blavet and the beginning of the maritime influence with the ebb and flow of the tides.