The Rigole de Boulet was built entirely by hand over 17 km during the Napoleonic era, between 1804 and 1832. It was part of the canal works. When planning a trip to Dingé, the question is therefore a simple one: should you focus on outdoor activities or on architecture and rural history?
Choose a route based on your time and interests
The Circuit de la Rigole de Boulet starts in Dingé, is 8.0 km long and is classified as easy. Different approximate times are given for the loop: about two hours on foot, about one hour by mountain bike, and about one hour and 45 minutes on horseback. All three options are rated as easy. This lets you compare the approximate time required for each mode of travel. Before setting out, check the current trail conditions and whether your chosen activity is permitted.
The route's character is also described: the Circuit passes through the shade of beech, ash and oak trees. The hiking trails in Dingé start beside the church, at the former bread oven at 3 Rue des Fontaines. Check the current start-point information before setting out.
The Rigole and the landscape
The Rigole du Boulet connects the Étang de Boulet near Feins with the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance. It is recognised as an “espace naturel sensible” (sensitive natural area). Together with the construction history of the Rigole de Boulet, this offers a view of two aspects of waterways: their connection to the canal and their significance as a designed landscape. These provide different points of reference for making your choice from the specific timings given for the loop.
The church and rural baking heritage
The present-day church of Saint-Symphorien is designed in the Neo-Romanesque style and was built to plans by Jacques Mellet. Construction began in 1869, the sanctuary was blessed in 1873, and Jules Mellet completed the tower after 1883. This sequence gives the church a clear construction history, distinguishing the start of construction, the blessing of the sanctuary and the later completion of the tower.
A former tithe barn on the Placette du Fournil recalls the earlier practice of collecting dues. The present-day bakehouse was built at the end of the 19th century. Its oven, heated with brushwood, could bake around a hundred loaves per batch. The barn, bakehouse and oven each tell a different part of rural life: the former dues, the later construction and the oven's baking capacity.
Another way to discover the commune's heritage is to follow the treasure hunt in the footsteps of the korrigan. It uses the “Trésor de Haute-Bretagne” app. Before setting out, check that the app is available and the route is currently accessible.
Getting there and planning
BreizhGo bus route 11 connects Dingé with Rennes. Check the current timetable before travelling. When planning your day, you can compare the approximate duration of the loop with the time needed for other activities; the stated times of two hours on foot, one hour by mountain bike or one hour and 45 minutes on horseback apply to the respective route options.
Discover more destinations: La Nouaye, Tinteniac, Sixt, Montreuil-sur-Ille, Iffendic, Les Iffs, Pleurtuit, Roz-Sur-Couesnon
For the broader travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
