normandy cruise - where to go?

[PaulR]

planning (weather allowing) to go east from Cherbourg for a change this year - rest of family never sailed normandy coastline and my last visit many years ago - rough itinerary ,

cherbourg/st vaast/carentan/ouistreham/honfleur/fecamp / brighton and back to solent base

any other good ports to visit ?

also thinking of day in Paris by train - anyone done that and suggest best port to go by train to paris from ?

thanks all

ps our boat is fin keel so no drying harbours

 

[sailorman]

Dives sur Mare market on a saturday
St Valery en Caux well worth a night

 

[JohnRob]

I'd second Dives - especially if its better weather, its only a short walk to the beach; If you are interested in the Normandy landings, Grandcamps is a small town for a quick stopover.

 

[Vara]

If you are going to Ouistreham, well worth motoring up canal to Caen for an overnight.

 

[knewboater]

Normandy

Sure you already know so sorry in advance,but make sure you choose a week when high tides are morning and night most ports dry out, and midday tides aren`t much good.

 

[Skysail]

Baie de Seine is one of our favourite areas - we like St Vaast, Carentan, Honfleur - probably top of the list, Caen (loads to see), Deauville - to watch the rich people!

 

[Elessar]

Agree with all that's already been said. Honfleur a particular favourite.

I'd add this though - port Winston. Difficult if there's a swell, I've failed to get in a few times. This was last year, buy a nice lunch, sit at anchor in there and reflect.

 

[Topcat47]

Ouistram is pants.....hated the place. If you have time, drop into Fecamp, the monastry is well worth a visit.

 

[CET1]

Our first boat was bought in Grandcamp-Maisy, Harbour master was great spoke little english but very helpfull. Visited Carentant, St Vaast, then up the normandy landing beaches. seeing the beaches from the sea gives a totally different perspective on what our troops manached to do. Then to Dives-sur-Mer home port of William the Conquor. Sailing up the river at night was fun, we came in on a spring tide so the rush up the river was quick and we shot in through the lock at 6knts.

Then to Honfleur one of our favorite places in France. Quick sail round to Fecamp and our french friends home port. Just make sure that it is not their race week as the Harbour Master closes the port to visitors. We were lucky and our friends found a place in the inner harbour for us.

When the weather is bad we just use the busses and tains to go and do the tourist bit.

Have a great trip.

 

[dk]

If you're going to Honfleur, why not carry on up to Rouen on the rising tide?

 

[Koeketiene]

Honfleur is a must
St Valery en Caux is Normandy's hidden gem
Dieppe's nice for a day or two

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBnJp_ysZTA

Fecamp is a dump.
Tiny fingers and if you're lucky enough to find a decent size one, the swell is uncomfortable.
One redeeming feature: Benedictine flavour ice cream.

 

[Tranona]

Cherbourg has a good fast train service to Paris, might just be a day trip if you get the first train. Easy walk to station from marina.

 

[guernseyman]

If going to Ouistreham, why not go up the canal to Caen. A pleasant bourg with its Peace Museum (dedicated to the war), and the twin cathedrals of William the word removedword removedword removedword removedword removedword removedword removed (Conqueror, to you) and his wife, Mathilde.

 

[minnitt]

Normandy cruise

Ouistreham is OK - nice enough marina - but, if you can, go up the short canal to Caen for one night at least. Harbour staff are friendly and facilities good. Lots of good restuarants there and much to do and see.

Why not try Courseulles-sur-Mer as well. Nice little port but quite modern architecture. Can be crowded but the friendly harbour staff are adept at shoehorning you in.

Whilst you are close by, why not do a bus trip inland to Bayeux - lovely town even if you do not see the tapestry! Great cathedral and lots of medieval houses.

 

[PaulR]

to all who replied thankyou- we had a great 2 weeks - cherbourg/st vaast/carentan/grandcamp/oustreham/caen/honfleur/ fecamp then back home via brighton and littlehampton in time for friday night cowes week air display and fireworks - weather kind throughout and good to go to new places albeit daughter and cruising friends swmbo and daughter expressed strong preference for channel islands again next time - honfluer for us the best - superb place and welcome - caen interesting - enjoyed fecamp but no bad places for us so a good fortnight - thanks again to all who made suggestions

 

[jonjo]

to all who replied thankyou- we had a great 2 weeks

No minor achievement given recent weather.

The last time I went up the Caen canal the old Pegasus WWII bridge was still in place and was opened just for me. Did you see the old Pegasus bridge parked up on the shore somewhere en route?

 

[Bandit]

We certainly enjoyed:

St Vaast la Hougue restaurant les Fuschias One day I will make it to Ile Tatiou

Grandcamp Maisey went to pint de la hoc a bloody long walk but taxi back

Dives a lovelly place nice beach and Restaurant le Bougnat http://www.chezlebougnat.fr/

Deauville the only place i have seen a small dog with a hat and sun glasses on, excellent marina, great beach and an interestsing town go to Trouville side to eat its cheaper.

Honfleur a magic medieval rown good restaurants and the marina is smack bang in the middle, one of the few towns in the area that was not flattened by the Brits, yanks and Germans.