Easy French Harbours

[Anonymous]

It came to mind that people going across the channel for first few times tend to be put off by awkward tides and entrances so I have started this thread in the hope that others can help to make a list of really easy harbours that will not intimidate the less-experienced.

Having just returned from Oistreham/Caen I was impressed at how easy it is to enter at all states of the tide and even in bad viz, provided you have means to stay in the channel with a cross-tide. Caen is a lovely place to visit, up an 8nm canal (33m clearance and only one lock). The marina in Caen is quite inexpensive, has good facilities and is right in the middle of a good-sized town/city. Plenty to see and do - Bayeaux tapestry 20 mins by train, loads of WW2 history including passing through Pegasus Bridge, good shops and a huge brilliant Sunday market selling all manner of fresh food at good prices. Mainline trains to all of Europe and secure marina so can be a good place to stop for a European inland tour. All the boat handling is very, very easy and they all speak English.

 

[Gunfleet]

How odd. I lived in the area for some years and very few of the locals spoke English. Dieppe is very straightforward for entry too, and has a nice weekend market just a few yards from the marina

 

[Anonymous]

I really meant that the officials and marina staff speak English. I speak French myself so I didn't notice whether the ordinary locals speak English - though they did at the main Railway station.

 

[brianhumber]

Assuming its fine weather and therefore anchoring off is included, not many Franch ports are difficult but IMHO the easier ones are
1) Assuming you arrive just before HW
Morlaix, Trebuderen, Paimpol, Granville, Carteret, St Vaast, Carentan, Dives, Dueville, Honfleur etc
2) non tide restricted include
Treguier, anywhere around Brehat including Lezardrieux, St Malo, St Quay, Fecamp, any ferry port.

Slightly more difficult include Perros Guierc, Portbail, St Valery and a whole host of quite small quays, inlets etc along the coast.

 

[Gunfleet]

Good list, just a reminder that St Malo marina (St Servan) has a cill - all tide access is only to the bassin Vauban. And Fecamp is considered dangerous in some wind conditions. Despite teasing Lemain I think this is a very good idea. I wish we could get one going for anchorages too.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
I think this is a very good idea. I wish we could get one going for anchorages too.

[/ QUOTE ]Why not start one? It would be very helpful for the less-experienced to experience some really good holding to gain confidence. There are places where the holding is exceptional, the approach is easy, easy to keep an eye on your position, easy and worthwhile to tender ashore, and not too busy. A list of them would be terrific!

 

[BrendanS]

[ QUOTE ]
There are places where the holding is exceptional, the approach is easy, easy to keep an eye on your position, easy and worthwhile to tender ashore, and not too busy

[/ QUOTE ]

Well volunteered. Off you go then! <g>
Seriously tho, you sound like you have the experience to start the list...

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
Well volunteered. Off you go then! <g>
Seriously tho, you sound like you have the experience to start the list...

[/ QUOTE ]Well, coming from the West Country, it would be pretty easy but maybe not very useful to many!

I am new to the Solent area (around which the majority of forumnites are based) but I have been using Sandown Bay as a very good spot to anchor to save a night's moorings, wait for the tide, etc. Sandown, from Shanklin to Culver Cliffs, is free from obstructions, well-sheltered from the prevailing winds, fairly light currents if you tuck yourself well into the bay, has good prominent features with a fair angle of cut, gently shelving sandy bottom, very easy tender landing on a sandy beach, plenty of 'things to do' ashore, easy to access railway station (and small airfield for PPLs) and a choice of scenery from Blackgang Chine to Culver Cliffs. You can anchor in almost any depth you please. Great place to try out anchoring and gain some confidence.

 

[VicS]

You might find some useful info here

 

[alahol2]

For Solent area you could also try Here ...even if I do say so myself.

 

[Otter]

Any advice for a first timer to Gravelines, what state of tide to approach at etc? We'll be arriving in daylight.

 

[Anonymous]

Vic, Good resource, thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Why do you not mention Sandown Bay, or Freshwater Bay, round the other side of Culver Cliffs?

 

[Cantata]

We went to Gravelines first time last year, Pasta Simon, and all we did was read the almanac and use common sense. It's perfectly straightforward. Nice place, please don't tell everyone though!

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Easy French Harbours - moderator!

This is very good stuff, but I wonder if we can't get Kim to split the threads into 'anchoring' and 'easy French port approaches' so people find them when they search later. By the way Woodbridge Cruising Club have an anchoring section on their website, which is very good and includes some south coast anchorages.

 

[Anonymous]

I prefer not to enter harbours - especially ones I don't know - on a falling tide. That caveat often crystallises things for me, especially if I also prefer to arrive in daylight! It's often worth anchoring outside; after a long passage when short handed you can catch up with some rest and get yourself sorted out before making your approach. If you keep that in mind as a plan, there is nothing stopping you from going straight in if you are in good time and the conditions feel right.