Brittany Marina Suggestions Please

[Trident]

So before we head off round the world my daughter would like to bring my granddaughter for a few weeks stay on the boat. So during July I suggested we go to France for a few weeks and she loves the idea but with a toddler aboard we're looking for a sheltered walk ashore berth in a pretty village or town that can fit a 15m (50ft) by 6m (20ft) catamaran . Probably stay for a few weeks.

Having only anchored out ever in Brittany as I passed en route to the Med I'm hoping some more regular and expert visitors might offer some suggestions? Again with a toddler and her mum who have never sailed I'm thinking North coast for a quick channel crossing - just trying to make everything as attractive and easy as possible so that when we're away for 5 years she may actually fly out and visit

Departing from the South coast between Plymouth and the IOW

 

[lustyd]

St Malo is Brittany but may be a bit east for your liking, it's obviously not on the way to anywhere! It's hard to beat though with lots to do and extremely picturesque. You could also show them some Channel Islands on the way/way back if they've not seen them before which may give them a glimpse of island life.

 

[Poignard]

Vannes, La Rochelle, Pornic are all delightful, if you can get in.
Also they offer good train and bus services for when you fancy a trip inland

Please disregard the above. I failed to notice you specified "North" Brittany!

 

[doug748]

St Malo would have room, perhaps alongside the quays after locking in - if not the marina itself. You would be right next to the magnificent old town and within an easy walk of fine beaches. The tide does go out a long way though.

Roscoff would be good, excellent swimming, good beaches within walking distance of the marina. Even better if you have bikes. Transport around the town is free and great excursions to Ile de Batz.




Large cats are often accommodated on the land side of the long walkway where there is generally sufficient water.

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[Frogmogman]

So before we head off round the world my daughter would like to bring my granddaughter for a few weeks stay on the boat. So during July I suggested we go to France for a few weeks and she loves the idea but with a toddler aboard we're looking for a sheltered walk ashore berth in a pretty village or town that can fit a 15m (50ft) by 6m (20ft) catamaran . Probably stay for a few weeks.

Having only anchored out ever in Brittany as I passed en route to the Med I'm hoping some more regular and expert visitors might offer some suggestions? Again with a toddler and her mum who have never sailed I'm thinking North coast for a quick channel crossing - just trying to make everything as attractive and easy as possible so that when we're away for 5 years she may actually fly out and visit

Departing from the South coast between Plymouth and the IOW

Saint Quay Portrieux has much to recommend it, and I have seen large visiting catamarans in the past.

 

[Bobc]

2nd vote for Saint Quay.

 

[franksingleton]

It is difficult to identify a marina within a “in a pretty village” although the surrounding areas are great. Clearly, you would have to check with the marina for a berth for that long for your size of boat. Echoing previous posts, I would suggest looking at

St Cast, quiet, longish but pleasant walk, on the flat, around the coast, to delightful small town. Good sandy beaches for toddlers. I don’t know about catamaran berthing but probably OK.

Lezardrieux, long hammerhead with plenty space to a catamaran. well sheltered, shortish uphill walk to village. A personal favourite, probably not as child friendly as other places.

Roscoff, another longish walk. Mostly fairly level, the level, to a lovely, if rather touristy in season, small town. A free bus In late July/August regular bus otherwise with stop tight by the marina. Good betting for catamarans. Probably not the best beach-wise.

L’Aber Wrac’h, probably the most scenic. A French lady called it sauvage. Good restaurants, longish walk uphill or bus to town. Bus service right by marina, somewhat infrequent. Sandy, child friendly beaches. OK for catamarans.

Port le Foret, probably the most catamaran friendly, adjacent sandy beaches. Longish walk, flat and shady to small town.

Pitiac-sur-mer, I do not know about Catamaran berths but the nearest to being in a pretty village. Everything near and within easy walking distance. Pebbly, rocky rather than sandy beaches but many children seem to like them.

PS. Last two are not N Brittany, I know but Port le Foret is easily accessible from N Brittany and Piriac most nearly meets the pretty village requirement.

 

[Trident]

Just a quick interjection to thank everyone - please don't stop - doing lots of research now

 

[Bandit]

Have done all of these with toddlers:
Carteret Normandy excellent Marina quiet small town lovely beaches
Dielette Normandy
St Cast excellent marina, A beautiful beach small town.
St Quay Portrieux
Trebeurden
Roscoff

All of these will require a buggy Trebeurden is the closest to the beach.

 

[John_Silver]

If you're able to stretch definitions, to a little south of the Raz, La Trinite would fit the bill:

Choice of beaches, in the river or on the Quiberon Bay shore. Agreeable Breton holiday town ambiance. Easy to keep yourself fed and watered. Carnac standing stones a bonus. Always enjoy stopping there....and overstay, as a result.

Most importantly, given the dimensions of your cat, it has purpose built pontoons to house ULTIM trimarans. Which have been based there, immediately south of the wave-break, for as long as I can remember. BUT this year they are gone. Those pontoons, spaced to accommodate the beam of an ULTIM, are now in use for visitors and would be suitable for your vessel.

And....If the fancy took you, there is some wonderful anchoring out to be done, within a 10 mile day sail: Off Houat (where we are this evening) and Hoedic, to the south. OR in the Golfe du Morbihan, to the east (although I'd check your beam v's bridge / flap gate width before venturing up to Vannes, an otherwise very rewarding excursion).

 

[Obi]

I usually skip the north coast and get around the corner to Brest or further south. But if I wanted the north coast I would likely put Honfleur at the top of my reading list to see if it i was suitable. It is a pretty place.

+1 For L'Aber W'rach, I really liked this stop off.

Or, Camaret and then down to a place I mentioned earlier this week (see link below):

Port Joinville, Île d'Yeu: Biscay (Pictures included)

 

[Koeketiene]

Not exactly northern Brittany, but still a bit 'up there', I would suggest Port La Forret.

Very catamaran friendly - probably the most cat friendly port in these parts.

And during the Summer months, there are direct flights (BA) from London City Airport to nearby Quimper Airport.

 

[ashtead]

We tend to head to st Malo if collecting crew travelling by ferry from Portsmouth or if wanting to hire a car.lovely beaches and tourist shops but a walk but if moored inside lock flat along front. It has kids carousel and fireworks often in summer evenings.
The beach at st cast is great for children although the tide goes out a long way but you can dinghy or paddle board there with children buggy,sunshade etc if you want to avoid the walk along the flat euro paid out walkway mentioned above. The staff at st cast are super helpful,they can hire you bikes and last year there was a small shop selling simple provisions in a row of shops. The restaurants at marina are adequate but nicer ones in town. We haven’t been to st quay for a few years but if visiting watch out for the berthing master Trevor if he’s still there as he can be particular at times. We have been down the lezardrieux river but marina facilities were very basic so I don’t know if I would take a cat there.