Constructed by French colonists 100 mi/160 km east of Antananarivo, the Canal des Pangalanes connects a series of lakes and rivers running along Madagascar's eastern shore and serves as a transport artery for villagers living along its banks. You'll see vanilla plants, cinnamon trees and coconut palms growing along the shore and pirogues heaped with palm leaves, bananas and timber plying the waters. Beach huts, some of which are relatively luxurious, are available on the riverside and on some parts of the lakeshore. Access is by road from Antananarivo or by boat from Toamasina.
