Piers
Well-Known Member
After 21 years we're back in Carentan on the Normandy coast. I was first here with the MBM Cruise in Company fleet in the mid-1970s (can anyone remember those days?) and then with the family in 1997.
Seeing the mile long yet narrow marina now, I just wonder if it's become a forgotten destination?
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-1-web.jpg
The approach through the estuary and along the river is gorgeous. Hundreds of seals basking on the beach, and flock after flock of birds. At the end of the river you see the lock, open HW-2 to HW+3.
And here's the 'but'. After 21 years the marina doesn't seem to have changed. Same old bouncy pontoons, same old 5A power supply, all looking somewhat dowdy and unkept. Yes, there's a new-ish Capitainerie and shower block (water is somewhat tepid) and a Brasserie but it's shut for the summer hols. A number of boats seem to have been left to die, all covered in green and unloved.
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-3-web.jpg
What is so, so lovely, is the peace and tranquility here. Just perfect for unwinding. Apart from Play d'eau, there are no visiting boats, and no-one working on their boats. It's as though it's a ghost marina.
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-2-web.jpg
Walking into the small town / big village, it's again so quiet. So few people around. Some new buildings but far more old (and beautiful) buildings shut down and up for sale. From what we've seen, there are hairdressers, opticians, pharmacies, clothing shops, but only one small supermarket, two boulangeries (the third is up for sale), one butcher and one ironmonger. Yes, there's a new indoor swimming pool complex and a separate small sports centre, but neither seem really used - EU money?
As I've said, what we love about the marina is the peace. It's so, so quiet. No visitors. Only dozens of really noisy ducks! The small power supply is a nuisance, but we have a generator.
Having met our Carentan goal we're undecided on 'where next?' Maybe we'll head back around the Cherbourg peninsula to the north coast of Brittany which we love.
Seeing the mile long yet narrow marina now, I just wonder if it's become a forgotten destination?
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-1-web.jpg
The approach through the estuary and along the river is gorgeous. Hundreds of seals basking on the beach, and flock after flock of birds. At the end of the river you see the lock, open HW-2 to HW+3.
And here's the 'but'. After 21 years the marina doesn't seem to have changed. Same old bouncy pontoons, same old 5A power supply, all looking somewhat dowdy and unkept. Yes, there's a new-ish Capitainerie and shower block (water is somewhat tepid) and a Brasserie but it's shut for the summer hols. A number of boats seem to have been left to die, all covered in green and unloved.
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-3-web.jpg
What is so, so lovely, is the peace and tranquility here. Just perfect for unwinding. Apart from Play d'eau, there are no visiting boats, and no-one working on their boats. It's as though it's a ghost marina.
http://www.playdeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carentan-marina-2-web.jpg
Walking into the small town / big village, it's again so quiet. So few people around. Some new buildings but far more old (and beautiful) buildings shut down and up for sale. From what we've seen, there are hairdressers, opticians, pharmacies, clothing shops, but only one small supermarket, two boulangeries (the third is up for sale), one butcher and one ironmonger. Yes, there's a new indoor swimming pool complex and a separate small sports centre, but neither seem really used - EU money?
As I've said, what we love about the marina is the peace. It's so, so quiet. No visitors. Only dozens of really noisy ducks! The small power supply is a nuisance, but we have a generator.
Having met our Carentan goal we're undecided on 'where next?' Maybe we'll head back around the Cherbourg peninsula to the north coast of Brittany which we love.
