jimi
Well-Known Member
What's the best place in N Brittany for a pre Xmas booze cruise?
Falmouth to Brittany Christmas Shopping
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
BobE
Well-Known Member
Wish I knew fer sure Wot about Morlaix tho'?? it's about 96 Miles ...
Cheers Bob E..
Cheers Bob E..
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
Cherbourg - its best if you set off from the Solent though.
Robin
Well-Known Member
Jimi
You should have gone via Cherbourg!
North Brittany at your new western end of the Channel is pretty well devoid of quick trolley dash destinations, but:-
Perros Guirec about 104mls has goodish supermarkets. Perros is tidal lock marina and often doesn't open on neaps at all so time your trip carefully. It is a nice place anyway.
Trebeurden, about 100mls is a tidal marina open longer than Perros and no neap problem, but has very little shopping potential. However I THINK I saw a notice saying there was a minibus service to a supermarket in season once per day, not helpful but it might mean a taxi trip would be feasible, maybe to Lannion?
L'Aberwrac'h is nearest at 95mls. No shops in the lower river or even in the nearby town (1ml uphill) but go upriver to Paluden where there are fore/aft moorings and very cheap, take the dinghy ashore and walk into Lannilis, about 1ml and there is a Leclerc supermarket but you might want a taxi back even if it is downhill.
Camaret (through Chenal du Four) about 120mls has a decentish supermarket near the inner marina.
Roscoff about 95mls has a supermarket but the harbour dries out. it used to be possible to anchor off the ferry port at Bloscon and there were a few buoys but sadly no more. Morlaix might be possible but its a lot of hassle to get up there for a quickie trip.
Otherwise plan B would be to go with someone else from the Solent to CBG or plan C a Brittany Ferries daytrip.
Robin
You should have gone via Cherbourg!
North Brittany at your new western end of the Channel is pretty well devoid of quick trolley dash destinations, but:-
Perros Guirec about 104mls has goodish supermarkets. Perros is tidal lock marina and often doesn't open on neaps at all so time your trip carefully. It is a nice place anyway.
Trebeurden, about 100mls is a tidal marina open longer than Perros and no neap problem, but has very little shopping potential. However I THINK I saw a notice saying there was a minibus service to a supermarket in season once per day, not helpful but it might mean a taxi trip would be feasible, maybe to Lannion?
L'Aberwrac'h is nearest at 95mls. No shops in the lower river or even in the nearby town (1ml uphill) but go upriver to Paluden where there are fore/aft moorings and very cheap, take the dinghy ashore and walk into Lannilis, about 1ml and there is a Leclerc supermarket but you might want a taxi back even if it is downhill.
Camaret (through Chenal du Four) about 120mls has a decentish supermarket near the inner marina.
Roscoff about 95mls has a supermarket but the harbour dries out. it used to be possible to anchor off the ferry port at Bloscon and there were a few buoys but sadly no more. Morlaix might be possible but its a lot of hassle to get up there for a quickie trip.
Otherwise plan B would be to go with someone else from the Solent to CBG or plan C a Brittany Ferries daytrip.
Robin
jhr
Well-Known Member
Depends whether it's the cruise or the booze that is most important. St Malo is probably the best compromise. Treguier's a nice destination - and sheltered - though I gather that coming alongside is something you save for slack water unless you want to entertain the locals. The marina at Trebeurden is a bit soul-less but there's a couple of nice Caves up (and I do mean up.....) in the Town. Perros-Guirec looks jolly but I've only driven through it. I've never been to Roscoff, but I've heard it's nice too.
My favourite little place is Locquirec, but it's definitely a fairweather destination. Not many grog shops there, but Plestin les Greves, nearby, is full of them and has a cracking Sunday Market.
My favourite little place is Locquirec, but it's definitely a fairweather destination. Not many grog shops there, but Plestin les Greves, nearby, is full of them and has a cracking Sunday Market.
jimi
Well-Known Member
Actually the shopping is just an excuse for a bit of sailing.. haveing done booze cruises to Cherbourg in past and come back empy handed;-) so I suppose the question really is which are the easiest North Brittany ports to enter after dark in crappy weather with a half decent cafe/bar?
jhr
Well-Known Member
I'd have thought St Malo in that case, but it's further than most of the others, particularly from the edge of the Known World.
Personally I like Treguier but it involves about (5?) miles of tricky pilotage upriver, which would be just what you need at the end of a tiring crossing.
From what Robin has said, it sounds like Perros to me, so long as you avoid neaps.
Personally I like Treguier but it involves about (5?) miles of tricky pilotage upriver, which would be just what you need at the end of a tiring crossing.
From what Robin has said, it sounds like Perros to me, so long as you avoid neaps.
ozzyb
Well-Known Member
Morlaix is a great place but in winter there's often only one daytime opening of the Lock into the centre ville basin. It involves careful timing of entry, if I remember one of the supermarkets will deliver cases of wine back to your boat. Its been a while since I went there though and that was also in late November, V COLD!
Robin
Well-Known Member
If you are serious about just wanting a cafe/bar and no shopping then:-
L'Aberwrac'h is easy enough all tide entrance day or night with leading lights and daymarks - as long as it isn't foggy and fog is common on that corner. There are a couple of restaurants by the capitanerie, 2 creperies and a pizza/pasta/restaurant (quite good). Or again go upriver (20mins but not lit) to Paluden, put the half price mooring fee saved towards one of the restaurants by the bridge (west side one is best).
Trebeurden is easy entry day/night and has a choice of decentish restaurants by the marina, the marina is pricey though.
Perros Guirec is very easy to enter day/night (2 lots of leading lines) has loads of good restaurants from cheap to very pricey. Good value is Le Suroit on the far east end of the quay, it is a hotel restaurant. Entry similar to St Vaast up to +/-2hrs of HW depending on coefficient, waiting buoys about 1ml back up the channel (free).
Treguier is good and day/night entry but farther away and a long ways upriver -say 1.5hrs of winding channel with a strong flow at times - beware of the tide in the marina!
St Malo is good but IMO too far from Falmouth for a long weekend, probably the eastern limit would be Perros Guirec.
L'Aberwrac'h is easy enough all tide entrance day or night with leading lights and daymarks - as long as it isn't foggy and fog is common on that corner. There are a couple of restaurants by the capitanerie, 2 creperies and a pizza/pasta/restaurant (quite good). Or again go upriver (20mins but not lit) to Paluden, put the half price mooring fee saved towards one of the restaurants by the bridge (west side one is best).
Trebeurden is easy entry day/night and has a choice of decentish restaurants by the marina, the marina is pricey though.
Perros Guirec is very easy to enter day/night (2 lots of leading lines) has loads of good restaurants from cheap to very pricey. Good value is Le Suroit on the far east end of the quay, it is a hotel restaurant. Entry similar to St Vaast up to +/-2hrs of HW depending on coefficient, waiting buoys about 1ml back up the channel (free).
Treguier is good and day/night entry but farther away and a long ways upriver -say 1.5hrs of winding channel with a strong flow at times - beware of the tide in the marina!
St Malo is good but IMO too far from Falmouth for a long weekend, probably the eastern limit would be Perros Guirec.
summerwind
Well-Known Member
Now I reckon that due to the season its a fair bet that you will have SW winds in both directions. Anywhere West of the Channel Islands is going to be a bit of a bash. In addition, there are three fifths of five eights of **** all easily accessible grog shops that will save you any spendus lootii at that time of year, in that area.
I reckon you should make for Cherbourg. You have a high chance of a broad reach there and back /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif with a range of 120 miles in each direction.
Whilst there you will have good shelter and plenty of grog shops, eateries and entertainment. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I reckon you should make for Cherbourg. You have a high chance of a broad reach there and back /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif with a range of 120 miles in each direction.
Whilst there you will have good shelter and plenty of grog shops, eateries and entertainment. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
chuns
Well-Known Member
Moulin Blanc, Brest. Very friendly & accomodating, anglophiles, bus to town, taxi very cheap. And a terrific restaurant in the hull (renovated) of an old crayfish trawler. Yum yum.
Little bit of nav to time the Four right.
Little bit of nav to time the Four right.
rwoofer
Well-Known Member
Surprised Lezardreux hasn't been mentioned as it is far easier to get into than Treguier and you can also get a taxi to Paimpol for a reasonable price if the shops in lez aren't good enough.
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
What's the best place in N Brittany for a pre Xmas booze cruise?
[/ QUOTE ]Easy. Treguier. I note someone saying tricky nav. not so, as my home port I can assure you that it is OK except at night, then easier as far as last light where you drop the hook and have a kip till daylight. Obviously best to be arriving Basse Croublent somewhere slack low water-ish. Now, what else? Me. I am there, and fancy a meet-up. Also, the fact that I have my estate car to hand means I can transport you to the best wine source, which is Carrefour at Paimpol. Why not to to Paimpol direct? Cos it is very tidal. Ditto for Perros Guirec. Trebeurden is highly remote from any wine source worth mention. L'Aber Wrac'h - even after walking up a bloody awful hill, there isn't anything passing for a supermarket.
If you are a really good boy, and put your preferences forward, we should be able to sort out the best bargains in advance.
So, that's it then Jimi ! Just let me know when you're coming, and I will arrange a welcoming party, swords of honour, blue flags etc.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
What's the best place in N Brittany for a pre Xmas booze cruise?
[/ QUOTE ]Easy. Treguier. I note someone saying tricky nav. not so, as my home port I can assure you that it is OK except at night, then easier as far as last light where you drop the hook and have a kip till daylight. Obviously best to be arriving Basse Croublent somewhere slack low water-ish. Now, what else? Me. I am there, and fancy a meet-up. Also, the fact that I have my estate car to hand means I can transport you to the best wine source, which is Carrefour at Paimpol. Why not to to Paimpol direct? Cos it is very tidal. Ditto for Perros Guirec. Trebeurden is highly remote from any wine source worth mention. L'Aber Wrac'h - even after walking up a bloody awful hill, there isn't anything passing for a supermarket.
If you are a really good boy, and put your preferences forward, we should be able to sort out the best bargains in advance.
So, that's it then Jimi ! Just let me know when you're coming, and I will arrange a welcoming party, swords of honour, blue flags etc.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
jimi
Well-Known Member
DeeGee, that would indeed be a pleasure, can I give you a shout when I've got some dates sorted?
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
Yep. If you give me a shout I'll let you know anything relevant about local pilotage/conditions, tho there isnt much to know except that tides run strongly along the coast line towards/away St Malo, so arrive uptide of the estuary (Basse Croublant buoy) within an hour of LW/HW. I have arrived down-tide of BC just an hour after slack, and had a great crossing spoilt.
jimi
Well-Known Member
Hi, is there any problem entering the river mouth when its not slack or is it just a case of ensuring that one is not downtide of the entrance?
doris
Well-Known Member
Treguier's not a problem in lumpy conditions because you are protected by all the rocks. Nice wizz up the river and some smashing restaurants and bars. Harbour master v. welcoming. Only about 120 miles or so to boot! At this time of year you will probably be able to go straight nto one of the berths on the downstram finger....easy peasy!
jimi
Well-Known Member
I'd wondered if Lezardreux was a good option if weather rubbish and getting dark?
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
Treguier
Yes it is mostly a case of ensuring that one is not downtide, since at Springs the tidal currents can be as much as 3kts. These run along the coast, then follow the river once you are in the 'arms' of the estuary. If you get your timing wrong and arrive on a strong ebb and downtide, you can find you are pointing the boat in a funny direction and going v v slow COG. Since you have to go SE after hitting BC, you want to be doing that on the flood or around slack. What you also dont want to be doing is going into Treguier marina at anything much off slack, the marina is built wrongly as the strong currents do not go at right-angles to the pontoons, which seems to catch most peeps out.
It is easy to say too much, and make an simple job sound difficult. ;-)
Yes it is mostly a case of ensuring that one is not downtide, since at Springs the tidal currents can be as much as 3kts. These run along the coast, then follow the river once you are in the 'arms' of the estuary. If you get your timing wrong and arrive on a strong ebb and downtide, you can find you are pointing the boat in a funny direction and going v v slow COG. Since you have to go SE after hitting BC, you want to be doing that on the flood or around slack. What you also dont want to be doing is going into Treguier marina at anything much off slack, the marina is built wrongly as the strong currents do not go at right-angles to the pontoons, which seems to catch most peeps out.
It is easy to say too much, and make an simple job sound difficult. ;-)
Moonfish
Well-Known Member
Arriving in the dark is not a problem, the leading lights are ok, once in the river the pilotage is not too difficult.
Just don't go with a nightblind owner, UKSA zero to hero, on his first boat, especially when asked to park 150,000 euros worth of nauticat in the dark for the first time as he was too nervous.
Good visability once within the area of the marina and buoys lit all the way in.
Aim to get there or be there on a Wednesday as there is a suberb market on the quay, cheese wine meat etc.
Can be quiet out of season as the bars/resturants run a rota so that they all have a share of the business available which involves a walk around town.
Bar by the marina run by a very pleasant couple and stay open as long as they are busy.
There is a reasonable Intermarche about 15 minutes walk, all be it up the hill, but best to take DeeGee's offer of car.
Don't forget the chanderly across the river, the most amazing place for just about every type of boat and not the same calibre of swinderly as uk.
PS do you want crew with local knowledge?
Just don't go with a nightblind owner, UKSA zero to hero, on his first boat, especially when asked to park 150,000 euros worth of nauticat in the dark for the first time as he was too nervous.
Good visability once within the area of the marina and buoys lit all the way in.
Aim to get there or be there on a Wednesday as there is a suberb market on the quay, cheese wine meat etc.
Can be quiet out of season as the bars/resturants run a rota so that they all have a share of the business available which involves a walk around town.
Bar by the marina run by a very pleasant couple and stay open as long as they are busy.
There is a reasonable Intermarche about 15 minutes walk, all be it up the hill, but best to take DeeGee's offer of car.
Don't forget the chanderly across the river, the most amazing place for just about every type of boat and not the same calibre of swinderly as uk.
PS do you want crew with local knowledge?
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