SimbaDog
Well-Known Member
Any suggestions for marina in Brittany to keep a yacht? Must be secure in a good cruising area & have availability. 
Brittany Marinas
- Thread starter SimbaDog
- Start date
CJ13
Well-Known Member
South Brittany is a brilliant area. Access by air to Rennes or by Ferry to a number of channel ports.
We're wintering up the Vilian River in Redon (Cris Boat), but that's a yard with no berthing for yachts.
On our way up river we met brits who keep their boats at Arzal Marina, just upstream of the barrage and La Roche Bernard, both sheltered locations and reasonably cheap.
Good luck.
John
We're wintering up the Vilian River in Redon (Cris Boat), but that's a yard with no berthing for yachts.
On our way up river we met brits who keep their boats at Arzal Marina, just upstream of the barrage and La Roche Bernard, both sheltered locations and reasonably cheap.
Good luck.
John
djs
Well-Known Member
paimpol
is well placed for the n brittany coast and the channels islands. marina sits behind a lock so good and secure and although i can't remember the rates i did think that they were unfeasibly reasonable when we spent a few days hiding from the weather there this summer.
just found rates -
http://www.port-paimpol-plaisance.fr/en/tarifs.php
town is great with everything you'd need and links to St Malo for ferries and also airport at (i think Brest) makes it reasonable accessible.
is well placed for the n brittany coast and the channels islands. marina sits behind a lock so good and secure and although i can't remember the rates i did think that they were unfeasibly reasonable when we spent a few days hiding from the weather there this summer.
just found rates -
http://www.port-paimpol-plaisance.fr/en/tarifs.php
town is great with everything you'd need and links to St Malo for ferries and also airport at (i think Brest) makes it reasonable accessible.
SimbaDog
Well-Known Member
Thanks
Robin
Well-Known Member
Southern Brittany is by far the best and the best areas to be based would be around Concarneau/Benodet or in Quiberon Bay, Morbihan or as mentioned elsewhere through the Arzal Dam into the Villaine.
The big but however is that there are long waiting lists in most places I believe. You need to talk to them in person too rather than by just email or phone as friends have found workaround solutions like being lifted ashore when not in use, annual berths with an agreement to be away a minimum one month during July and August, or to allow the marina to move the boat 'hot berthing' around as needed.
One possibility is Camaret (near Brest) where they have moorings run by Brits. These used to be visitor buoys but 80% now are let permanently and many to British boats.
The big but however is that there are long waiting lists in most places I believe. You need to talk to them in person too rather than by just email or phone as friends have found workaround solutions like being lifted ashore when not in use, annual berths with an agreement to be away a minimum one month during July and August, or to allow the marina to move the boat 'hot berthing' around as needed.
One possibility is Camaret (near Brest) where they have moorings run by Brits. These used to be visitor buoys but 80% now are let permanently and many to British boats.
Cloven
Well-Known Member
Agree Southern Brittany is best but current waiting lists are horrendous if you want a permanent berth. We waited 4 years but were lucky as it coincided with an expansion at the marina. Current waiting lists are often over 10 years and in excess of 20 years in some places!!
It is possible in places to get a 6 month contract but you do not have an allocated berth - i.e. the boat is moved around as places in the marina come vacant. You then have to find winter storage which often has to be booked well in advance.
Good luck.
It is possible in places to get a 6 month contract but you do not have an allocated berth - i.e. the boat is moved around as places in the marina come vacant. You then have to find winter storage which often has to be booked well in advance.
Good luck.
guernseyman
Well-Known Member
There always seems to be finger pontoon space in Morlaix marina at the upstream end.
I don't know if there's a reason.
Depth at that end is 1.6m. according to Reeds.
I don't know if there's a reason.
Depth at that end is 1.6m. according to Reeds.
OspreyMarineBoy
New Member
North Brittany Marina suggestion
Perros-Guirec is very cheap and can take large yachts. Tide locked by sill and lock gate. Quick exit/entrance and easy, lovely cruising area.
P.S. Cruised Northern Brittany last year for 7 weeks, total cost for visitor's buoys and a couple of nights in a Marina, was 130 euros over the whole 7 weeks!! Spent all the time at lovely, easy anchorages.
Northern brittany is a bit of a challenge on tidal/depth predictions, best suited to shoal or lifting keel.
happy sailing, wish I was joining you!
Perros-Guirec is very cheap and can take large yachts. Tide locked by sill and lock gate. Quick exit/entrance and easy, lovely cruising area.
P.S. Cruised Northern Brittany last year for 7 weeks, total cost for visitor's buoys and a couple of nights in a Marina, was 130 euros over the whole 7 weeks!! Spent all the time at lovely, easy anchorages.
Northern brittany is a bit of a challenge on tidal/depth predictions, best suited to shoal or lifting keel.
happy sailing, wish I was joining you!
jordanbasset
Well-Known Member
Port La Foret
Hi, our boat is at Port La Foret for the winter. Staff friendly, 15 minute picturesque walk into Foret Village. All the facilities you would want at the marina which appears well sheltered. Plenty of places to sail to within easy reach of it. No problem getting a place for the winter, may be different for 12 month berth but there do seem to be a few empty berths -
Hi, our boat is at Port La Foret for the winter. Staff friendly, 15 minute picturesque walk into Foret Village. All the facilities you would want at the marina which appears well sheltered. Plenty of places to sail to within easy reach of it. No problem getting a place for the winter, may be different for 12 month berth but there do seem to be a few empty berths -
rays
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Paimpol
Our boat is in Paimpol for the winter. As previous posters have said it's safe, rates are very reasonable and the town is lovely. Importantly, you can also get craned out easily, there are 3 or 4 good chandleries (but French prices make UK swindleries look good value) access is good via local rail to Brest and Ryanair from there. The sailing is good with some of the best beaches you will find anywhere. Ok the tidal range/rocks mean you need to keep your wits about you, but if you have got the boat there from the uk that surely can't present too much of a challenge. Also, having researched nearly everywhere on the north brittany coast, many small towns virtually close down for the winter. Paimpol was lively when we made a flying visit in November with most of the restaurants and hotels open and plenty of life. We are planning a quick trip in mid-January and I hope it's still good.
We are planning to carry on round to southern Brittany next season and will need to find somewhere to leave the boat next winter so I am interested in what the above postings say on that score. I can second the comment about checking in person about availablity. Whilst there was space when we arrived in Paimpol, it was essential to actually be there to talk to the capitanarie otherwise we may have finished up tied alongside a wintering vendette or scallop boat!
Our boat is in Paimpol for the winter. As previous posters have said it's safe, rates are very reasonable and the town is lovely. Importantly, you can also get craned out easily, there are 3 or 4 good chandleries (but French prices make UK swindleries look good value) access is good via local rail to Brest and Ryanair from there. The sailing is good with some of the best beaches you will find anywhere. Ok the tidal range/rocks mean you need to keep your wits about you, but if you have got the boat there from the uk that surely can't present too much of a challenge. Also, having researched nearly everywhere on the north brittany coast, many small towns virtually close down for the winter. Paimpol was lively when we made a flying visit in November with most of the restaurants and hotels open and plenty of life. We are planning a quick trip in mid-January and I hope it's still good.
We are planning to carry on round to southern Brittany next season and will need to find somewhere to leave the boat next winter so I am interested in what the above postings say on that score. I can second the comment about checking in person about availablity. Whilst there was space when we arrived in Paimpol, it was essential to actually be there to talk to the capitanarie otherwise we may have finished up tied alongside a wintering vendette or scallop boat!
