Recommendations for French boat yards

[scm78]

We're ending our Med cruise in the south of France and are planning to have out boat trucked to northern France for over-wintering. Does anyone have any recommendations for
- a reliable boatyard in southern France (we're coming from Corsica) where we can arrange haul out and loading, and
- a boatyard in N.France (pref Cherbourg area) where we can safely store our boat on the hard for the winter.

Thanks so much for your help! Places where some English is spoken would be a plus too.

 

[LadyJessie]

I have been lucky and have not needed the use of many French yards, but of the ones I have used one stand out: Monaco Marine Group in St. Laurent du Var, webpage: Monaco Marine
They have the attitude that they will not give up until a problem is solved. In my case it was a genset (FP of course!) and they kept at it until they found the problem. Very impressive. One of the best boating services I have seen anywhere. Very reasonable price as well.

If you are trucking your boat from here, it will help you that the Nice airport is walking distance from this yard.

 

[vyv_cox]

I've never used any, but La Ciotat was good enough for Velsheda a couple of winters ago, without any of the ludicrously high costs that might be associated with this kind of vessel. Very competent lifting/hoisting facilites as this was a major shipbuilding yard at one time. Now changing to yachts and superyachts as dictated by economics.

Also Port Napoleon on the Rhone exit are lifting boats in and out all day, so should be perfectly capable.

 

[blueglass]

yes I think you would find port napoleon the best bet in terms of price and facilities. its a dump, but your boat won't mind.

 

[Liz_I]

Hey, Blueglass. hope you are both okay.

Anyway back to the question? P.Nap has changed drastically over the past 10 months. If you want further info then please send a PM.

It's still an okay place to have masted stepped & unstepped and boats loaded onto trailers. But...........

 

[scarlett]

If you are just passing through, I too would suggest Port Napoleon. If you just want to leave a boat somewhere Navy Service round the corner is half the price and the facilities are poor but the boat won't mind.

There is the possibility that leaving a boat in northern France might invite mildew and frozen pipes, something with a lesser possibility on the Rhone delta. Then truck the boat when you want it to go north to use it.

 

[scm78]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I'll follow them up

 

[porth]

Our boat is ashore in Port Gapeau, just East of Hyeres. Our 393 is max size for them, as it is a yard on a SMALL river estuary. The depth sounder read zero for the last two hundred metres and the channel is about 2m wide at some points. (dug by a JCB on the quay!). All that being said, it is a relatively cheap place considering it is on the french riviera, and the people are helpful and prof. You would have to check land transport possibilities, not sure how wide the entrance gate is. www.place-port.com