La Brière between Sandun and Saint-André-des-Eaux

La Brière, France's second largest freshwater marsh, is a secret land hidden behind the surrounding hedgerows. The suggested route allows you to explore it from the land bordering it to the west and even catch a glimpse of it from the Sandun hill, which rises to a height of 28 metres. A real mountain in this flat country!
But be careful, marshes are best explored when the water level allows it.
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Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 18 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 19 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 26 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Park in the small car park next to the village bakery and cross the RD47 to take the street opposite. After the last houses, turn right and return to the departmental road. Cross the road and turn left to cross the bridge and follow the road for about 200 m.

(1) Just before the Cruttier bend, take the path that branches off to the right, then 80 m before the first bend, take the path that goes into the woods on the right, following a wire fence. Be careful not to miss it, as the entrance is very discreet. Follow this path straight ahead until you reach the Bréca road.

(2) Turn left when you get there. Follow the road for about 500 m, then leave it to the left at the three-way junction, continuing along the path on the right. Once you have passed the barrier, you will enter the Grand Brière Mottière.

(3) La Brière has a very special land status, as, by letters patent from François II, Duke of Brittany and father of Duchess Anne, it is the undivided property of its inhabitants. The Grande Brière Mottière union committee brings together representatives from the 21 municipalities surrounding the marsh and is responsible for its management (maintenance of canals, water levels, grazing, fishing and hunting rights).
Follow the first moat before reaching the canal de ceinture (a canal surrounding the undivided marsh) and the GRP® Tour de Brière trail (red and yellow markings). Turn right and follow it to the Tréhé canal.

(4) Turn right and head for the village port after crossing the first footbridge.

(5) Although there are fewer barges (flat-bottomed boats typical of the marshes), this small port has retained its original appearance, with its barges moored in the shade of tall trees.
Go around the various basins to return to the marsh by following the other bank of the Tréhé canal until you reach the footbridge that crosses it.

(6) This straight canal is one of those dug in the first half of the 20th century to facilitate travel in the marshes. Previously, its users travelled in more or less natural barges that joined the copis and piardes. These open stretches of water are the result of peat extraction. Although the marsh is now wooded, there was a time when, between cutting reeds for roofing or animal bedding, grazing and peat extraction, it had a completely different appearance. Nothing stopped the eye except the hedges on the mainland. Imagine this landscape as you follow the belt canal to the outskirts of Saint-André-des-Eaux. In the distance, the dark mass of the Forêt de la Bretesche covers the Sillon de Bretagne.

(7) Cross the canal via the Chaussée du Bourg footbridge and leave the marsh, taking care to close the gate behind you. Join the road to Bilac via a beautiful tree-lined path. When you reach this road, turn right and enter the village of Bilac. There are still a few attractive thatched cottages here.

(8) At the crossroads in the centre of the village, turn left, then after the tall house, turn right onto a path that passes behind Kerméans. Turn right at the road, then left to descend into a small valley.

(9) Go up the opposite slope and turn right when you reach the first houses. After a few dozen metres, the tarmac will come to an end.
Pass Kerpoisson and continue under some majestic trees.
After joining a first path, continue right for 200 m, and turn left at the next three-way junction.
As you pass, take a look to your left at a small chapel-like building at the end of the neighbouring field.

(10) Reach Tréhé, leaving Le Bilôt on your right. At the road, go straight ahead and continue along the path that extends the road. Ignore the signpost blocking the passage. Only a slightly damp section a little further on may hinder your progress.

(11) At the cycle path, turn right, then left at the next crossroads, and follow the path until you reach the RD47. This section of the route can be difficult to walk in wet weather due to the ruts.

(12) If you are in a group, prepare and signal when crossing this busy, winding road. On the other side, continue to Kerjacob.

(13) At the village bakery, turn right onto the street that climbs towards a farmhouse. It continues along a steep path that climbs the Sandun hill. This hill offers an excellent view of the Brière region, but only in winter when the trees have lost their leaves. Without vegetation, it is easy to understand why this balcony above the marsh was occupied early on, as evidenced by the many remains that have been discovered there (dolmen, "Gallic" wall, necropolis, etc.). With vegetation having reclaimed its rights, only the calvary still dominates the site since it was restored.
Descend the hill on the opposite side, then follow the road to the right, which takes you back to the starting point at the Sandun oven (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Oven in the heart of the village
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 9 m - Le Cruttier
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 5 m - Turn left at the road
  4. 3 : km 2.23 - alt. 2 m - Access barrier to the Brière
  5. 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 1 m - Tréhé Canal
  6. 5 : km 3.66 - alt. 1 m - Port of Tréhé
  7. 6 : km 4.06 - alt. 1 m - Footbridge
  8. 7 : km 6.47 - alt. 1 m - The Bourg Road
  9. 8 : km 7.44 - alt. 4 m - Centre of the village of Bilac
  10. 9 : km 8.73 - alt. 10 m - Towards Kerpoisson
  11. 10 : km 10.06 - alt. 6 m - Chapel (?) of Ville Savary
  12. 11 : km 11.39 - alt. 5 m - Cycle path
  13. 12 : km 11.95 - alt. 10 m - Crossing the D47
  14. 13 : km 12.55 - alt. 14 m - Kerjacob oven
  15. S/E : km 13.21 - alt. 7 m - sandun oven

Practical information

This route, which runs along the western edge of the marsh, is only accessible when the water level is not too high. Depending on the year and rainfall, it may only be accessible from spring to autumn. It is advisable to check its accessibility outside the summer period.

At the beginning and end of the season, some limited sections may be under water even though the marsh has receded. These are usually fords with gravel beds, which remain passable even under a few centimetres of water.

The route through the marsh crosses grazing areas. If you see any livestock, take care to avoid them and keep your dogs on a leash if necessary. Cows are generally placid animals, provided they are not provoked.

At certain times of the year and times of day, marshes mean mosquitoes. Insect repellent may be welcome if you choose to let the sun tan your skin.

In the nearby area

On the way back, stop off at the village of Kerhinet (the Brière Regional Nature Park eco-museum). This collection of a dozen thatched cottages includes several places where you can discover and learn more about the Brière environment.

If you want to extend your exploration of the marshes with a boat trip, head to the port of Bréca to discover the Piarde du Panazin and the Trou des Oies.
Be careful though, the bou-bou, which is said to swallow a mouthful of mosquitoes every time it opens its mouth, could well swallow you too. Don't worry, this cry is only that of the discreet bittern, a small heron that hides in the heart of the reeds.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
fred.petit2205@gmail.com
fred.petit2205@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This was my third time doing this route, and I always enjoy it immensely. It combines the villages of Brière with the marshes in all their splendour.
It's fairly easy to access in general, you just have to make sure you don't miss the little path at No. 1.

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Sylpat
Sylpat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

point 1 is very difficult to find, as the very narrow path is hidden by vegetation. The accuracy of the map enabled us to find it after several attempts.

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User 4891874

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike, and the ideal time of year to do it. Accessible, very few people around, even when walking alone in the marshes and observing the wildlife.
I will definitely recommend it to friends.

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Rvt
Rvt

I'm sorry to disagree with you, being somewhat familiar with the area, but it is indeed a breach; pieces of the riverbank were still present on the path. Best regards.

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philrandovilaine
philrandovilaine

You were early in the season for this tour, and it's no surprise that you got your feet wet. What you call a breach is probably not one, but rather a gravel pit, a kind of stone-covered ford lower than the path, which allows water and wildlife to flow through the ditches and canals. But I hope the adventure didn't have any consequences other than getting your feet wet!
Best regards
PhilRV

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Rvt
Rvt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful, easy hike in the heart of the Brière region. We encountered a problem before number 7: there was a breach in the riverbank and the path was flooded for 3 metres, forcing us to wade through water up to our ankles.

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Rvt
Rvt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike, easy in the heart of the Brière region. We had a problem

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Ducastelle
Ducastelle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

2 clarifications:
- at point 7, you leave the GR
- at point 11, which may be ambiguous. Do not write "next crossroads" because a little further on there is one between two cycle paths. Instead, write that the path is a hairpin bend after the forest on the left

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Patrick BERTRAND
Patrick BERTRAND

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It was very difficult to find the way out of the woods, as vegetation had taken over.
Encounter with a friendly herd of cows that had come to drink from the canal.
A pleasant walk with varied scenery.

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philrandovilaine
philrandovilaine

I am delighted that you enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you. Rest assured, as far as crayfish are concerned (Louisiana crayfish, since they are immigrants), there have been no reports of any major accidents in the marshes since they were introduced. The opposite is not true, but they are not worth the risk!
Best regards
PhilRV

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Nabru
Nabru

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hike completed on 5/8/2023 after a week of rain. A few slightly muddy sections but nothing too bad. We really enjoyed the diversity of the route, the first part is a good way to approach the Brière marshes. The only living creature we encountered in the marsh was a crayfish trying to block our path by threatening us with its claws.
The instructions were clear, except for a slight hesitation at point 1 in finding the path that leads into the woods. Thank you to philrandovilaine for this lovely walk.

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dbages
dbages

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hike completed yesterday, 19 July 2023. The trail has reopened and the footbridges have been replaced. An easy walk thanks to the signposts and GPX track. The trail was completely dry this summer, very pleasant, often shaded. Diverse landscapes and a wide variety of birds to observe. Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes including breaks.

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sifo44
sifo44
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Please note that two footbridges have been removed for repairs between points 4 and 6 (work is expected to take six weeks). The first footbridge can be crossed barefoot, while the second requires the use of a stick. Remember to bring a towel. Great walk.

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DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Some very pretty passages, including the small fishing port of Théré, and some rather long stretches through the marshes, but overall a hike that is representative of the Brière region.

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motoveve
motoveve

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A hike to do in mild weather, several kilometres through open countryside; interesting for those who don't know the area, but best avoided in wet weather.

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