European Waterways is opening up a part of France most travellers never see: inland Brittany. Aboard the hotel barge Nymphea, guests cruise deep into the region’s quiet interior, following the historic Canal de Nantes à Brest between Josselin and Redon. This is slow travel at its most rewarding — narrow waterways, lock-by-lock cruising and front-row access to medieval towns, market villages and unspoilt countryside shaped by Celtic history.
Following Nymphea’s acclaimed seasons in the Loire Valley, this brand-new itinerary marks the only hotel barge cruise to explore inland Brittany. Far from the coast and crowds, the journey reveals a calmer, more authentic France, where canals replace roads and local life unfolds at water level. With just six guests onboard, the experience is deliberately intimate, immersive and rarely replicated elsewhere.
“There are very few ways to experience Brittany like this,” says Derek Banks, Founder and Managing Director of European Waterways. “Cruising its inland waterways allows guests to access places that are otherwise overlooked — quietly beautiful, deeply historic and full of character. It’s a region that rewards those who take the slower route.”
Cruising Through Celtic Landscapes
Often described as one of France’s most beautiful waterways, the Canal de Nantes à Brest meanders through rolling countryside, peaceful marshlands and charming hamlets. Tree-lined banks, abundant birdlife and medieval towns create a wonderfully immersive cruising experience.
From the towers of Château de Josselin to the marshes of Glénac and the dramatic cliffs of Île aux Pies, each day reveals a new side of Brittany’s timeless beauty. “This is a journey into the Celtic heart of France,” Banks adds. “It’s a place where ancient legends meet living traditions, and every bend in the canal brings a new discovery.”
Châteaux, Standing Stones and Storybook Villages
Highlights include a private visit to Château de Josselin, still home to the Duke of Rohan, and the remarkable Menhirs de Monteneuf, offering insight into Brittany’s prehistoric past. Guests explore Malestroit, a designated Petite Cité de Caractère, with its half-timbered houses and Gothic façades, as well as Rochefort-en-Terre, so beautiful it has been barred from further competition for, The Most Beautiful Village in France and filled with flowers, galleries and boutiques. “You don’t just visit these places, you feel their stories,” says Banks. “From ancient megaliths to grand châteaux, Brittany offers a powerful sense of continuity between past and present.”
From Market Stalls to Michelin Stars
Brittany’s culinary heritage such as crepes and seafood features throughout the cruise, including a Michelin-starred dinner at Maison Tiegezh in Guer and daily onboard dining created from market-fresh local produce selected with your onboard chef.
Guests also enjoy a traditional cider tasting at Cidrerie du Clos de la Ruaudaie and a private wine tasting at Domaine Dantelezh on the Rhuys peninsula, reviving a local winemaking tradition lost for generations.
“Food and drink are woven into the fabric of this region,” Banks explains. “From cider orchards to Michelin-starred kitchens, every meal reflects Brittany’s pride in its produce.”
Art, Gardens and Riverside Towns
The journey includes time in La Gacilly, one of Brittany’s most creative villages, renowned for its artisan workshops, galleries and strong artistic identity. Guests can explore the Yves Rocher botanical gardens, where landscaped paths showcase the region’s rich plant life. Experience the town’s truly unique outdoor photography festival, which transforms streets, walls and riverbanks into open-air exhibition spaces each summer.
The itinerary highlights Brittany’s historic riverside towns, where waterways have shaped daily life for centuries. The cruise concludes in Redon, once a major inland port and still defined by its canals. rivers, and dominated by the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur, founded in 832 AD. Along the route, smaller canal-side communities and former trading settlements offer glimpses of traditional Breton life, with stone quays, waterside houses and a strong sense of place rooted in the rhythm of the river.
Available for 2026 and 2027: Nymphea’s Classic Brittany Cruise
The Classic Brittany Cruise offers the only hotel barge itinerary through inland Brittany, and operates between Josselin and Redon starting in 2026. With easy access via Paris and, this unique journey provides a rare opportunity to explore one of France’s most authentic regions in comfort and style.
“This itinerary celebrates landscapes shaped by centuries, traditions kept alive by local communities, and the gentle beauty of Brittany’s waterways,” Banks concludes. “It’s an invitation to experience a quieter, richer side of France, and to discover the Celtic spirit at the heart of this remarkable region.”
