Best attractions and places to see around Paule, a region in Brittany, France, offer a blend of historical engineering and accessible outdoor routes. The area is characterized by its significant role in the Nantes-Brest Canal project, featuring impressive man-made structures. Visitors can explore greenways and historical sites that showcase the region's past and natural landscape. Paule provides a variety of points of interest for those interested in walking, cycling, and local history.
Last updated: May 25, 2026
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This is one of the very few straight sections of the canal.
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Here the canal meanders through the landscape.
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A welcome breath of fresh air
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At an altitude of 184 m, the Glomel trench is the highest point of the Nantes-Brest canal and the watershed between the Blavet and Aulne basins. The canal project and its passage through the center of Brittany dates back to Vauban, the decision and the route to Napoleon. The impressive trench allows the Aulne and Blavet watersheds to communicate via the canal. The Grande Trenche of the Canal from Nantes to Brest was dug in the 19th century by deserters from the army of Louis XVIII. The 4000 convicts of Glomel had to move as much earth and rock as was necessary for the construction of a great pyramid in Egypt. It took 9 years to create this trench, more than 3 kilometers long, 100 meters wide and 23 meters deep.
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Carhaix-Plouguer (/kaʁɛ pluɡɛʁ/Note 1), commonly called Carhaix, is known to be one of the most flourishing cities of Gallo-Roman Armorica during Antiquity, then bearing the name Vorgium (Latin name of the capital of the Gallic and then Gallo-Roman people of the Osismes). It is today known for hosting, since 1992, the Vieilles Charrues festival, one of the main music festivals in Europe.
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Beautiful greenway, well maintained and marked. It follows the old railway lines and allows you to cross the valleys without any elevation changes.
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This passage is the highest point of the canal. It was necessary to dig three million cubic meters of earth and rock to make the canal pass: as much as to build the largest pyramid in Egypt! The work was carried out in the 19th century by deserters imprisoned and sentenced to forced labor. Many did not survive the unimaginable working and hygienic conditions. A book “Les Bagnards du canal de Nantes à Brest” traces the little-known history of the builders of the canal from Nantes to Brest.
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First segment of the excellent bike trail on the abandoned former rail line. Good hardpack fine gravel, no hills. The easy is not always the most interesting, but enjoy the easy flat rail-to-trail path, pleasantly shaded by trees on both sides most of the way.
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Paule is renowned for its significant role in the Nantes-Brest Canal project. You can visit The Glomel Cut, a man-made passage representing the highest point of the canal, excavated through rock in the 19th century. Another impressive site is the Great Trench of the Nantes to Brest Canal, a 3.5 km long, 23-meter deep cut, which was a monumental undertaking involving thousands of laborers.
Yes, the region offers several accessible greenways. The Voie Verte Morlaix-Carhaix (Gars an Hore) is a well-maintained greenway that follows old railway lines, allowing you to cross valleys without significant elevation changes. Another excellent option is the Voie Verte between Carhaix and Poullaouen, a flat, shaded cycle path on an abandoned rail line, perfect for easy rides.
Beyond the canal infrastructure, you can explore Carhaix-Plouguer, a town known for its rich history, including its past as Vorgium, one of the most flourishing cities of Gallo-Roman Armorica. It also features classic 19th-century architecture.
Visitors appreciate the well-maintained greenways, such as the Voie Verte Morlaix-Carhaix, for their ease of use and scenic routes. The historical significance and sheer scale of engineering at sites like The Glomel Cut also leave a lasting impression, with many noting the challenging conditions faced by its builders.
The Great Trench of the Nantes to Brest Canal is categorized as family-friendly, offering an engaging historical site that can be explored by families. The flat and shaded greenways, like the Voie Verte between Carhaix and Poullaouen, are also suitable for family bike rides or walks.
For road cycling enthusiasts, there are several routes available. You can find options like the 'Kerdiston lake – The Glomel Cut loop from Plévin' or the 'Gouffre de Huelgoat Waterfall – Huelgoat Forest loop from Maël-Carhaix'. More details and routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Paule guide.
Yes, there are numerous cycling routes for touring bicycles. Consider routes such as 'The Glomel Cut – Kerdiston lake loop from Paule' or 'Lock No. 138 of Bon Repos – Bon-Repos Abbey loop from Glomel'. Explore more options in the Cycling around Paule guide.
Gravel biking is a popular activity in the area, with routes like 'Lock No. 138 of Bon Repos – Bon-Repos Abbey loop from Glomel' and 'Kerdiston lake – Quistinic lock loop from Quéhélen'. You can discover more gravel biking adventures in the Gravel biking around Paule guide.
The Nantes-Brest Canal is a central feature of the region's history and landscape. It was a massive 19th-century engineering project designed to connect Nantes with Brest. The area around Paule, particularly The Glomel Cut and the Great Trench, represents the canal's highest and most challenging sections to construct, showcasing the immense human effort involved.
Absolutely. The region is known for converting old railway lines into scenic trails. Both the Voie Verte Morlaix-Carhaix (Gars an Hore) and the Voie Verte between Carhaix and Poullaouen are excellent examples of these rail-to-trail paths, offering flat, easy routes through the countryside.


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