This is a town of 2 names - Pontivy the site of a 7th century river crossing, developed in following centuries by the Ducs de Rohan who built a castle that still stands overlooking the Blavet. This position was what attracted Napoleon I when the river was joined to the canal being built across Brittany - it provided an ideal central location for trading and became a major administrative centre for the military and was renamed Napoleonville. Today it has a good range of shops, cafes and restaurants, a weekly market on monday mornings.
The chateau is open to the public, there is an interesting mix of 16th and 19th century architecture in the town centre and of course the Nantes - Brest canal which runs through the town with a foot / cycle / bridle path beside it.
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