normandy coast cruising

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yelbis

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I intend to cruise the french coast of normandy 2 - 3 weeks in july/aug, possibly heading first toward fecamp/dieppe with family taking ferry and then along the coast on short hops due to family wanting half on board half on land arrangment. Any ideas, suggestions, warnings please.
 
I would recommend going as early as possible. The French tend to all take their hols from the last week of July to the first week of August.

Most of the harbours on the Normandy coast are tidally restricted in some way so plan accordingly.

Don't miss: Honfleur, Carentan, Barfleur (dries), Arromanches (not overnight)

The ferry ports (Dieppe, Le Havre, Cherbourg) are exactly that so would not linger, but Ouisterham is nice.

If you can work the tides, the best ploy might be to start at Cherbourg and work towards Le Havre so allowing the folks to get out and back by ferry.

GJM
 
I recommend you start at the west and head east. The tides are better for short hops that way. There are quite a few ports to visit, most of them half tide. You can pop out of one and make the next port on the same tide. You'll struggle to do this the other way.

Besides Gordon's list, also try St Vaast, Courselles Sur Mer, take the canal up to Caan, Trouville. Other places are Grandcamp Maisy (fishing port, the seaweed smells at low tide, but still worth a visit), Port en Bessin (check out the trenches on the top of the cliffs, and pick up bucketloads of perfect scallop shells from the beach).

I found August to be no problem - been to all these ports on two different cruises in that month. I hope you enjoy yourselves.
 
Its some time since we went that way but:
Honfleur; not to be missed.

Carentan; a long way inland but lovely when you get there. You'll stay longer than you intended

Isigny if you like being off the beaten track

Barfleur; you have to lie against the wall unles they have at last built a marina. Don't get stuck on that wall if strong NE winds are likely

St. Vaast l'Hougue big marina but worth a visit
 
Sounds Good, would like to enjoy the french way of life for a couple of weeks, the solent will be too busy at this time as its school hols. Found the same thing in spain two years back. 1st week august all the spanish take holidays.
 
Agree all above + Dives/Cabourg if settled, and St Valery en Caux.
Dives for Calvados tasting in the town
St Valery for charm & memorial to 51st Highland division
 
Latest RYA magazine reports some poor soul being done by the French for not having an ICC as he went up the canal to Caen. The claim was that as he had locked in, he was now in inland waterways.

(Must admit I do find this preoccupation with rules at complete odds with what everyone says about the French ignoring all the EC bits - I suppose it's ignore when it suits you).
 
deauville is a hit for families, fab beach safe town interesing shopping, usually lots of space.

Honfleur cutesy but there can be a crush to get in. I think some moorings are private so as well as the HM you can moor up and ask at the "cercle nautique" (yot club) if they have a place, was the advice. There is waiting pontoon outside. I went by bus tho from deauville, no room for bigger boats at that time.

Grandcamp Maisy is a bit stinky. But handyish for Bayeux which is possibly the most must-see non-boaty thing along that coast. Nice town too.

St Vaast a good stepping off point north or south across channel.
 
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