Férel between nature and the Vilaine skyline

Yes, the Arzal dam can be crossed all year round, but it may be temporarily closed to traffic when the locks are opened for boats to pass through. These manoeuvres generally last around twenty minutes, but can take a little longer on sunny days, depending on the number of boats. Lock opening times are displayed on site and are also available on the Passeport écluse website.

Yes, the Arzal dam is accessible to cyclists and is a great way to get from Camoël to Arzal. A safe cycle path runs alongside the road, offering superb views over the Vilaine. This is a pleasant route in the La Vélocean network, linking the banks of the Vilaine at Pénestin to the Atlantic coast.

The Vilaine lends itself to a range of water-based activities that are accessible to all:

• Canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding from the Férel and Camoël water sports centres
• Boat trips on the Vilaine, near the Arzal dam
• Freshwater fishing, widely practised on the banks of the river.

No, swimming is not permitted in the Vilaine. The river is navigable and subject to currents and variations in level due to the tides and lockage. For swimming, we advise you to go to the nearby beaches of Pénestin or Assérac, which are supervised in summer.

Yes, in Férel, a local producers’ market is held every Saturday morning on the Place de la Mairie in the heart of the village.
Here you’ll find local producers and artisans selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses and specialities from the Vilaine river.