French Charts

[lowenna]

As I am planning a cruise around the French coast (from North Brittany to about La Rochelle) this summer, I was considering whether to buy French charts rather than the Admiralty or Imray. Does anyone know if any British chandlers stock them and approximate prices?

 

[Robin]

We cruise this area every year and my personal preference is for the Imray charts. Imray charts have harbour plans added which are very good and these can be referenced to suit a Yeoman too if required, they are also easy to keep updated via their website, changes can be printed off. The French charts are on flimsier paper IMO and none that I have seen have harbour plans included like Imray. That said the best chart for Isles De Glenan is the French SHOM one and the best for the Morbihan itself is the Admiralty one. You will be able to buy French charts in every port at either the chandleries or the Cooperative Maritime shops. French pilots (Pilotes Cotiers) are also excellent, much more detailed coverage especially of anchorages than the British ones and about half the price as well.

 

[RPC]

You can view lists of charts and suppliers (including French charts) on the cruising website Onpassage.com, see this link

http://www.onpassage.com/Purchasing_Pages/Charts_Nautical.htm

 

[TonyMS]

I don't know where you get them in England, but Navicarte charts are brilliant for large scale. As well as having all the usual detail, but in colours to make them easy to understand at a glance, they have all the transits you could want for weaving in and out of the rocks.

Imray is fine for marina to marina

Tony

 

[Calao]

Buy your french charts in France, 21.10 € in any shipchandler and buy also "VOTRE LIVRE DE BORD" by BLOC MARINE (21 € in 2004) for harbour plans; its in french of course but with a lot of english translation.

 

[Calao]

Buy your french charts in France, 21.10 € in any shipchandler and buy also "VOTRE LIVRE DE BORD" by BLOC MARINE (21 € in 2004) for harbour plans; its in french of course but with a lot of english translation.

 

[brianhumber]

Bloody good charts - got mine when I stopped at first French port. Dont use anything else when on the French coast - Imray far too basic for good rock hopping around Brittany. Believe Kelvin Hughes used to stock them in UK

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Robin - Imray are the best for all the reasons he gives plus the grid that they have on the chart, which makes chartwork much easier. The French charts are very flimsy and they are expensive. Also, you can update the Imray charts online - don't know about the French.

 

[Robin]

[ QUOTE ]
Bloody good charts - got mine when I stopped at first French port. Dont use anything else when on the French coast - Imray far too basic for good rock hopping around Brittany. Believe Kelvin Hughes used to stock them in UK

[/ QUOTE ]

Brian

Whilst I agree with you that French charts are very good ( and we carry some) the Imray ones with harbour plans included are ideal for all of the passages and even some 'normal' close amongst the rocks stuff. The real rock dodging is something we too like to do and then I agree there is a need for additional larger scale charts, like the French chart for Glenans. In our case we also have C-Map electronic cartridges with very large scale charts included and which combined with Mk 1 eyeball and French Pilotes Cotiers are excellent. Also agree with the need to buy Bloc Marines excellent Votre Livre De Bord almanac, indeed I would buy this even for South Coast use, beats any Brit Almanac and at half the cost, I even have a waiting list of friends wanting the old ones!

Can't wait to get down there again!

Robin

 

[trouville]

i have to say when i looked at imray some years ago i prefered my French ones which are waterproof (very) and less expensive.

What i did notice were that a very few imray had more details? I havent found many useing imray though?

Im happy to see that most use real paper charts, rather than squinting at a £700 chart readerand hopeing the next chart issue will be compatable!