Ecluse de Coat Natous | canal de Nantes à Brest

The construction of the Nantes-Brest canal was a titanic task, both in terms of the terrain involved and the engineering required.

Elevation changes were one of the major issues to be taken into account during construction.

The "double lock" at Coat Natous in Mellionnec was built to overcome the steep gradient at this point on the Nantes-Brest canal. Its special feature is a common gate between two locks, forming a single structure.

A few meters upstream, the canal widens out to the banks where the Notre-Dame-de-la-Pitié chapel is located, allowing barges and river boats to maneuver. Following restoration of the locks, the canal is once again navigable between Lac de Guerlédan and this point.