Canal Saint-Félix

Canal Saint-Félix is a waterway in the Malakoff district that collects water from the Erdre River before it joins the Loire. It stretches between the castle and the train station, and is managed by a dam and lock system to maintain steady water levels.

The canal was first built in the 6th century under Bishop Felix, the 16th bishop of Nantes and founder of the city port. It was later expanded and modified to support growing trade and protect against flooding from the Loire River.

The canal shaped the Richebourg neighborhood starting in the 18th century, creating a central port linked to the sugar trade. Today you can see traces of this industrial past in the old warehouses and buildings that line its banks.

The best way to explore the canal system is to walk along the banks where you can clearly see the technical structures. The flat terrain makes visiting easy year-round, and you can access it from several neighborhoods in the city.

The most striking feature is a 740-meter underground tunnel that connects the canal to the Erdre River through the historic center. This hidden section shows how earlier engineers cleverly worked around space constraints in the densely built old town.

Location: Nantes

Operator: Conseil Départemental de Loire-Atlantique

Address: canal Saint-Félix, 44000 Nantes, France

GPS coordinates: 47.21454,-1.54379

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:09