The Giants' Walk in the Bazouges Basin

The starting point is in the commune of Hédé-Bazouges, at a place called La Guénaudière, on the Ille and Rance Canal.

To get to the starting point, leave Hédé in the direction of Guipel via the D221. After passing the La Ville Allée district, turn left at the hamlet of La Tréhonais towards Bazouges (D287). Go down to the canal at La Guénaudière. There is a car park along the canal on the right.

(S/E) Start from the bridge over the canal and walk north-east along the towpath on the north bank (when you cross the bridge towards Bazouges, the path is on the right after the bridge). Continue along the canal (GR® markings).

(1) After about 600 metres, ignore the path on the left marked "Observatoire des oiseaux" (bird observatory). This will be the return path. Continue along the canal. You will see the lake on the left through the trees. Further on, the path crosses a bridge connecting the Bazouges Basin to the canal.

After the bridge, a path branches off to the left and winds parallel to the towpath 10-15 metres to its left: choose whichever you prefer.

From the start and all along the forest bordering the canal, admire the beech, oak and a few chestnut trees over 30 metres tall, which allow you to walk under a canopy of greenery.

If you are on the winding path to the left of the towpath: at the three-way junction (fork), turn left. If you are on the towpath, after a wide curve on the right and before a small climb, a path branches off to the left (at this point, the GR® markings end).

(2) Take the path on the left and continue north to go around the Bazouges Basin. Follow the well-marked path. Several footbridges make it easier to cross wet areas in winter. From the north, the path soon turns north-west, then west.
You will come across two houses on the right and a carriage road. The road turns right and a path leads off into the grass opposite the^second house, running alongside the lake.

(3) Follow the path opposite and walk along the lake.
Further on, a hut on stilts juts out into the lake, accessible by a footbridge, notable for its red roof. Don't hesitate to take the footbridge for a view of the lake and the fishing birds.
You will come to a road junction on the right marked by a giant willow tree.

(4) At the crossroads by the large willow tree, continue along the bank of the basin. Continue along the houses by the water's edge. See also the alternative route described below.

(5) Then pass a car park (boat ramp on the left). Further on, the road becomes a path through the woods, which quickly joins the drainage channel of the lake.
Continue to the right along the bank of the channel until you reach the stone bridge that crosses it.

(6) Cross the channel on the stone bridge and turn left towards the mouth on the other side of the channel.
At the mouth of the channel, the path makes a sharp right turn (120°).

Just before the turn, walking along the canal for 30 metres further upstream, you will come to an LPO bird observatory.
The path quickly rejoins the towpath taken on the way there.

(1) Take the towpath on the right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Alternative starting point: You can park south of Bazouges at the point (5). Then head south. In this case, when you reach the towpath at (1), turn left and follow the towpath to (2). The route is then about 1 km shorter.

Picnic: tablesare available at the edge of the pond 200 metres before (2) and also at the edge of the canal at (2). Benches are located on the dyke facing the pond at Bazouges.

Please note that the section between (2) and (3) can be very wet in winter but remains passable. Wear appropriate footwear.

Alternative route: at point (4), leave the bank on your left and take the road that branches off to the right (45°), which will take you to the small church of Bazouges, which is well worth a visit. To return to the lake, turn left before the church, walk along the cemetery and descend into the valley. You will arrive at a small pond: follow the path to the left after the pond.

Extension: you can complete this walk with all or part of the 11 locks waterfall on the Ille and Rance Canal, which you can reach from the starting point by going down the canal on its right bank.

Church of Bazouges-sous-Hédé.

Site of the 11 locks of Hédé.