Vilaine 1.77

The Vilaine is a river in Brittany, in the west of France. The river's source is in the Mayenne département, and it flows out into the Atlantic Ocean at Pénestin in the Morbihan département . It is 218 km long.Course of the riverThe river passes through 4 départements and 4 main towns .Three barrages were built around Vitré, Ille-et-Vilaine to alleviate flooding, while securing potable water supplies. They are also amenities for recreational activities. 1978 Valière barrage 1982 Haute-Vilaine barrage 1995 Villaumur barrageHydrologyThe river has a flow ranging between 2 and 1500 m3/sNavigationThe Vilaine is part of Brittany's canal system, built mainly in the 19th century for relatively small barges . The entire system was transferred to the Brittany Region in 2011. In Rennes the river connects to the Canal d'Ille et Rance hence the Rance estuary, which enters the English Channel at Saint-Malo. In Redon it crosses the Canal de Nantes à Brest, giving access to Pontivy and the Blavet and Nantes .Main tributaries Ille Meu Seiche Semnon Chère Don Oust Isac