When I told friends and colleagues that I was traveling to Brittany to walk the Nantes-Brest Canal, this declaration was met with stares. Not even the savviest among them heard of this 216-mile-long canal in Brittany's interior. Why wasn't I going to the coast? And when I told acquaintances in France, they wondered if I would get bored. After all, they said, the scenery is pretty much the same, mile after mile. Right? Wrong.
Over the course of six days, I walked a 60+ mile portion of this waterway, stopping in villages for lunch and dinner where my friend and I overnighted. Every step in this bucolic landscape was full of discoveries, as the colors, sky, foliage, reflections in the water, continually changed. The bed and breakfasts varied from chateaus reminiscent of Downton Abbey to country houses in centuries-old slate hamlets.
This YouTube video will provide a window into my peaceful journey where I found previous treasures around every corner and where the placid waters acted as a canvas for the verdant scenes.
Over the course of six days, I walked a 60+ mile portion of this waterway, stopping in villages for lunch and dinner where my friend and I overnighted. Every step in this bucolic landscape was full of discoveries, as the colors, sky, foliage, reflections in the water, continually changed. The bed and breakfasts varied from chateaus reminiscent of Downton Abbey to country houses in centuries-old slate hamlets.
This YouTube video will provide a window into my peaceful journey where I found previous treasures around every corner and where the placid waters acted as a canvas for the verdant scenes.
10 comments:
Thanks for sharing. I liked the painting on the side of a church, but the whole trip must have been so picturesque. What an interesting way to tour a little-known, un-touristy part of France.
What beautiful photos! I especially am drawn to the one of the house with the deep pink shutters. Wonderful and so evocative.
I like the idea of walking it - you get such an intense up-close experience that way.
Love the idea of walking - great way to see things up close and get a feel for the countryside.
Wow! 60 miles. Good for you!
Hi Roxanne, Thanks for your enthusiasm.
Hi Jane, Yes, walking, biking and cross country skiing are my favorite ways to get in touch with the land and its people.
Hi Brette, Absolutely. It's an intimate method of traveling.
Hi Sheryl, Glad you enjoyed my images.
Hi Alexandra, It's amazing the number of people who visit Brittany and never go to the interior; they only go to the shore.
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