Le Havre to Rouen via La Siene

[keyna6000]

Hi there

We have a 13m motor pleasure boat 10-12 knots max. We want to travel to Rouen (then the rest inland waterways to Marseille). We have looked at tide maps and low tide 24 July is 06:31 so we will go on this tide or the next day at 07:28.

Just looking for any advice. We want to do in one long day. Would you advise leaving at, 1 or 2 hours before low tide? How long might the trip take? What hazards should we look for.

We are planning to stay at Rouen Port de Plaisance for a couple of nights to recover before the next leg. I have read mixed reviews about this marina. Does anyone have any experience to share please?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Keyna

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Last time we went up to Rouen we left Le Havre at 06:00, 1 hour before LW Le Havre in order to be at the first buoy in the Seine at LW. We cruise at 5 knots and carried the flood all the way to Rouen arriving at 16:00.

There is a good description of how to work out the tides in the CA book.

We spent quite some time moored in the marina and we liked it. Security is good, there is a gendarmerie in the marina car park and the harbour master was very friendly. It's in a rather industrial area but we didn't see any antisocial behaviour or anything of that kind. There is a boatyard next door.

 

[Keith-i]

I can’t add much to the above but we did Le Havre to Paris by rib a few years ago. The biggest issue was getting fuel so check availability. Rouen port was basic but pleasant.

 

[PlanB]

Just a thought - have you checked your air draft for the canals?

 

[Amerella]

We are currently in the boatyard next to the marina in Rouen. We have done the trip from Le Havre to Paris and beyond and back a number of times, always stopping at the Rouen marina on the way. We have a 13.5m twin engined motor yacht and have done as per post #2 each time but at about 8 knots, making it an easy run up to Rouen. We find the marina very pleasant and the staff are very helpful and again, as per post #2, secure, we have never had any issues. The centre of Rouen is about 30-40 minutes walk from the marina and there are a number of bars/cafes/restaurants along the quayside en route.

If you are planning to stop at the Arsenal in Paris, do phone ahead from Rouen to book a place as it can be busy, although maybe not so much this year.

As per post #4, do check air draft, don’t forget that clearance will be reduced if there is a lot of rainfall to raise the water level.

Finally, don’t forget to buy your Vignette for the river/canal system beyond Rouen.

Have a great trip!