CRUISING N.FRANCE GO EAST OR WEST FROM CHERBOURG

[ROSSCO]

I am intending to take my wife and children (aged 7+8) to North France for 2 weeks in August aboard our Bavaria 31 (1.75m draft). I can't decide which side of the Cherbourg penninsular to go - West with the big tides or East with the draft restricted ports - I would appreciate some views - thanks

 

[billmacfarlane]

If you go either way you'll meet draft restricted ports. Guernsey, Jersey and the French ports on the Cotentin peninsula are restricted by draft. It all really depends what sort of a holiday you want. With 2 children aboard, I would think that beaches will be popular and again you'll meet them either east or west of Cherbourg. The tides in the Baie de la Seine are less fierce than the ones in the Channel Islands and your navigation will have to be accurate in the Channel Islands becaues big tidal ranges and lots of hard , jagged rocks needed to be treated with respect. In the past years I've been in Cherbourg I let the winds decide which way I'm going to go. If the wind is hard SW I'll sail in the lee of the peninsula and make St Vaast then head up the Baie de la Seine. If the wind is W I'll tack to Alderney then close haul to Guernsey. I've had good holidays both ways.

 

[PhilipStapleton]

Subject to the wind, I'd definitely go westward. The Channel Islands are much more interesting for kids - the other way, once beyond St. Vaast, things are a bit bleak - and hopeless at neaps. In two weeks you might want to get down to St. Malo and up the Rance, or even better, to Lezadreiux and then up the river to Pontrieux (Just go on the rising tide - no problem with depth, I've got a Barvaria 320!) On the other hand, the kids may not let you leave your anchorage off Sark or Herm.

By the way, Alderney's the same distance as Cherboug from the Needles, so if the wind's anywhere but SW why not go direct.

 

[jamesjermain]

For a first visit I would go west. It is more varied and interesting, particularly if you take in the Channel Islands. Tides are strong and sometimes quite difficult but don't let that put you off if your nav. is up to scratch. Try Alderney, Lesadrieux, Treguier and St Malo for a compact, interesting and not too arduous cruise with plenty of time ashore for children. On Alderney don't forget the daytime anchorages on the south side where there are excellent beaches for swimming.


JJ