This hour long trip will take you under the viaduct and down to the little town of Léhon. An audio guide is available in English and full of fun facts such as how donkeys used to pull the barges along, but when one wasn’t available, the boatmen’s wives would have to do it! The riverbank is filled with flowers and fauna, including an exotic Japanese plant which looks like a giant rhubarb. First planted in 1917 by a gardener from Léhon, it has colonised the banks of the river.
You can also take a boat to and from Saint Malo to Dinan, or a dinner cruise.
Details: vedettesjamanv.com
Take a wander to neighbouring Léhon
Walk to the peaceful little village of Léhon along the riverbanks of the Rance from Dinan which takes around 30 minutes. Léhon is a classified “town of Character” first settled by the Roman army 2000 years ago. In fact it’s much older than Dinan which was only founded around 1000 years ago. It’s a very pretty little town and worth visiting to see the 12th century castle ruins – allegedly the oldest castle in Brittany, and the Abbey Saint-Magloire. Legend has it that Welsh monks arrived here in the 9th century and, wanting to settle, asked the King of Brittany for land. He required them to bring him some relics to place in the church they intended to build. In a remarkably un-Christian display, they looted the relics from monks on the island of Sark and returned triumphant with their spoils to claim the land.
The abbey architecture dates to the 11th century onwards. Don’t miss the little tower by the river in which monks were allowed to drink a glass of wine and smoke a pipe on Sundays. Regular art exhibitions are hosted here and there are pretty gardens.