The canal, a complex hydraulic machine

The canal is a complex and accurate hydraulic machines, based on hydrodynamics and designed by French State engineers. Each element is essential and has a role to play: gutters feed water into the canal, locks tame it and make navigation possible and bridges connecting the river’s two banks facilitate communication. The tow path completes the system, enabling craft to navigate upstream, pulled by horses.
Facilitating the circulation of goods and raw materials, until the start of the 20th century, canals and rivers helped to develop the economy of Brittany, especially agriculture and industry. In 1910, 3,220 boats were navigating between Pontivy and Hennebont, carrying 176,126 tonnes of goods, fertiliser, sand, lime, roofing timber and firewood, but also iron ore and coke from Bilbao and coal from Wales, etc.