Saint-Grégoire (the Ille and Rance Canal)

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A short route with no particular difficulties between Saint-Grégoire and Betton.
No risk of getting lost, just follow the Ille and Rance canal along the towpath on the east bank and then return via the west bank.

Details

n°907798
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 34 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 27 m
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Photos

Le Gacet lock
The old mill
Reinais bridge
Robinson Lock

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the Robinson Lock car park, Rue de la Duchesse Anne, in Saint-Grégoire.
Take the towpath north towards Betton.

(1) Walk along the Charbonnière lock and continue.

(2) Pass under the D29 bridge.

(3) Walk along the Écluse du Gacet and arrive at the Pont de la Reinais.

(4) Cross the bridge and return to the starting point via the towpath on the opposite bank.

(5) Cross the canal along Rue de la Duchesse Anne and return to the car park on the left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 28 m - Parking at Robinson Lock.
  2. 1 : km 1.54 - alt. 30 m - The Charbonnière Lock
  3. 2 : km 3.86 - alt. 29 m - D29 bridge
  4. 3 : km 4.23 - alt. 32 m - The Gacet Lock.
  5. 4 : km 4.57 - alt. 34 m - Reinais Bridge - Ille (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 9.27 - alt. 31 m - Crossing the - Canal d'Ille-et-Rance
  7. S/E : km 9.38 - alt. 28 m - Parking at Robinson Lock.

Notes

Toilets and drinking water near the Robinson Lock.
This route is also used by cyclists (greenway), so let's all get along harmoniously.

Worth a visit

The old mill near Robinson Lock.
The three lock houses and their decorations.
Birds flying over several sections of the canal.
Water sports centre (canoeing and kayaking) near the (S/E).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Seb-Kurt
Seb-Kurt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Extra walks along the towpath

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Thierry&Lydie
Thierry&Lydie
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice walk along the Ille and Rance canal.
Ideal for families. No difficulty.

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elisabethtaillandier
elisabethtaillandier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful walk very close to Rennes; very pleasant and very easy.

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louis35
louis35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfect for this very wet February 2021, the path is pleasant and makes for a lovely, carefree stroll along the towpath.

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juliette1947
juliette1947

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Ideal hike for the winter months, very accessible towpath.

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dominique.thomas599@dbmail.com
dominique.thomas599@dbmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Done in freezing cold weather but beautiful things to see (canal, locks, return to the other bank). To be repeated in sunnier weather.

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Robinso
Robinso

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike, especially in wet weather like we are currently experiencing, when you want to find paths that are not too muddy...

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