L'Aberwrac'h

[Captain_Chaos]

L\'Aberwrac\'h

I'm thinking of going to Brest for the Summer and an obvious route from my berth in Plymouth seems to be over to L'Aberwrac'h and then round the corner.

Has anyone done this recently?

I have read the pilot books and almanacs but would welcome any suggestions from anyone who has made this trip

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather be sailing

 

[billmacfarlane]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

There's 2 ways into L'Aberwrack, the main channel and another one that cuts about a couple of miles off your journey if your approach is from the east. To use the short cut you use a transit and back bearing. If its your first time I'd stick to the main channel and save yourself any drama. The moorings are either mooring buoys or a pontoon. The pontoons are short but OK. The price I think is the same for either. Ther's a water taxi you can call if you're on the mooring buoys but he takes his time. Ashore there's a club for a beer and a few restaurants. The nearest village is about a mile walk and has all you'd expect, food,wine etc. On your approach from seaward the landfall is fairly featureless so make sure of your position as it's a typical North Brittany shoreline- littered with rocks. Hope you find this useful.

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[Robin]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

Unless you especially want to go to L'Aberwrac'h why not go straight down through Chenal Du Four, direct to Brest or stop at Camaret (very nice). In the time it takes to go upriver to L'Aberwrac'h you would be half way or more down the Four. Leaving for Chenal Du Four from L'Aberwrac'h , the tide is already going south in the Four when still east going off l'Aberwrac'h so you will be against the tide in the river and for most of the 10 miles to the Four.

We do this trip every year from Poole via Dartmouth then straight to Camaret. Camaret is much more interesting, two marinas and visiting buoys for visitors plus room to anchor. Also a half decent supermarket (nothing much at L'Aberwrac'h) for the first stock up.

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[Robin]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

The pontoons are supposed to be for <10m boats but nobody seems to bother too much, the buoys are cheaper. Cheaper still and more sheltered is upriver at Paluden, fore/aft buoys with dumbell fenders between, about 1ml walk to bigger village with a proper supermarket, also good restaurant by the bridge.

Going into L'Aberwrac'h make sure you identify Libenter (marks the start of the main channel) buoy correctly, there is another similar cardinal not far west of Libenter and this is not a good place to start to go inshore! Beware also of the inevitable strong cross tide in the channel, there are rocks close by on either side. The leading marks are sometimes difficult to pick out in the haze or sun, easier to see on exit than entry. The east channel entrance is not very useful from Plymouth but is a good shortcut to/from east, it is called Malouine Channel and is easier than it looks, best taken on the way out perhaps for the first time.

Be prepared also for hundreds of sailing school dinghies, cats and sailboards coming at you from all directions once in the main approaches.

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[tome]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

L'Aberwrac'h is ok if you have young kids (beaches, dinghy sailing etc) but agree there's not much there otherwise and better to press on through the Four to Brest or Camaret if the tide allows. You could keep L'Aberwrach as a plan B in case you get stuffed by the tide?

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[claymore]

Le Baie Des Anges

Is a really grand wee Auberge.
Dear Heart and I were bringing a boat back from La Rochelle and were stormbound for 3 days in L'Aber Wrach - great little restaurant just by the Sailing School.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[ZEBEDEE]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

I agree with Robin unless you realy want to go into L'abervac go strait through le four I do it every time,it's to easy to get fog bound in L,abervac and spend a couple of days tryng to get out

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[kingfisher]

Loved it

Did it two years ago: Darthmouth-L'aberwrac'h. And then on to Brest and Douarnenez.

1) Take the main chanel, the secondary one does take out a few miles, but quite demanding navigational wise. The main chanel is OK, just follow the pilot book.

2) Don't stop at the marina, go further up river. After a few cables, you'll see some bell moorings. It's dead calm, with a nice view to wake up to. When I was there, they were free.

Its 40 minutes walk uphill to Landeda. Not much, just your typical Normandie village, but a great crêperie.

showers were 10FF at the time in the marina. Daylight robbery

I do not believe in continuing immidiately to Brest, as it is not the easiest cruising ground, especialy exhausted from a long trip.

BTW: go for tréguier as well. Stunning vista when you round the corner.

[image] http://sirocco31.tripod.com/images/tzdz/arrived1s.jpg [/image]
Just look at that handsome bloke on the right.



<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Gelfi]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

If you are not pushed for time and would like somewhere quiet try L'Aberbenouit which is next to L'aberwrach. This can also be found from Libenter buoy and is very pretty and peaceful.

<hr width=100% size=1>The only way to go is by water

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

We are going down from Plymouth on the 2nd August - we normally bypass L'abervrach and go straight on to Camaret and then to Morgat, which is one of my favorite brittany ports. The coast is wonderful, with some really scenic walks (if you like walking - I don't - SWMBO does - so I walk.

We always go into L'aber... on the way back. Use the main chanel first time, and then use the northern channel to leave by - doing your homework first.

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[Robin]

Re: L\'Aberwrac\'h

Look out for us, we plan to be en route for Camaret via Dartmouth on 1st August, may still be there or moving on south.

We love Morgat too, the sea caves (Grottes) are worth a visit in your dinghy, wear a swimming costume and something on your feet and take a torch. Also like the views from the cliff walks, not the walking bit. Favourite reataurant is La Toul Boss, cheap and very good.

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