River Rance

[RAP77]

We are considering exploring the River Rance above the barrage, maybe up to Dinan.
I am having difficulty finding any information on anchoring places and the 'tides' (obviously controlled by the operation of the turbines)
Has any one sailed in this river?
I have a 12m sail boat draft 1.4m.
Thanks

 

[Poignard]

It's about 7 years since we last took our boat into the Rance but we couldn't get much beyond Chatelier with our 1.5m draft. The river is very beautiful and peaceful.


There is a very pleasant marina at Plouer in which the level is maintained by a cill. We made friends with a couple on a motor cruiser whilst berthed there and they kindly took us on a delightful trip up to Dinan.


I think you can get information on the river levels from the lock keeper of the barrage lock near St Malo. We only had Reed's Almanac so presumably that told us what was needed.

http://www.digimap.gg/lyvet_le_chatelier

A useful tip. If, when you have secured in the lock, you hear the agitated cries of the lock keeper, glance upwards. You may find that you have chosen a spot where the lifting bridge is about to be lowered onto your masthead.

 

[LadyInBed]

After the barrage there is an area you can sail in, down as far as Pte du Thon (48° 35' N) then the water goes up and down quite a lot till you get to the lock. I found I was pushing mud when coming out of the lock with 1.4 draft, but that was later in the year when there was probably less water in the river.
When you return, if you have to wait on the buoys for the barrage lock, make sure you leave the buoy smartish, as if their is a lot of local boats leaving, they will all pile in without any regard!

 

[Bav34]

Here's something I prepared earlier



Watch it to the end and you'll see the drying heights encountered on the way to Plouer.

The barrage maintains the height artificially between certain hours, so you don't get a regular flow in the river, but when they do open the sluices ... interesting!



You can get details of the tide times and heights from the Capitainerie at St Malo and from memory it is something like 7 metres held back between 7 am to say 9pm and 10.5 for a 2 hour period in between those times. But don't quote me exactly.

Then they open the sluices

We draw 1.5 and have made it to Dinan with no problem.

The lock at Chatelier is also 'interesting' when they start opening the gates. Massive surge.

Be prepared to 'hurry slowly' at the locks. As already said, The French don't queue ... nor do they waste space in the locks ... just when you think it's full they squeeze another one in, then another

Lots of good stuff here

http://www.digimap.gg/marinas

There are visitors moorings at St Suliac on the east side of the river.

The dolphin video was taken to the north of Isle au Moine ... we just picked up a spare mooring and stayed with the boat. We also anchored for a week between Pte du Thon and Pte Garel, then started running out of cold food

Shopping is a bit of an issue. The nearest supermarket to The Rance is a quite hilly walk from Plouer ... ok on the way up when you're not laden with bags, but we have bikes which help a lot for the return.

Some piccies:

Looking down towards The Barrage

Above the bridges at HW ... look at the pale green patch in the centre of the picture with trees to the left

Above the bridges at LW with the green patch zoomed in, the edge of the trees are just in shot

Random loveliness

 

[Arcady]

Lots of places to anchor in lower reaches, but holding can be variable. Above L'Ecluse de Chatalier there is about 1.5 m over soft mud. We took our 12m fin keel (1.5m) all the way to Dinan once, but it can be hard work. You may not be able to lie alongside the quay which is less than 1.5 m in places. Also - on the E side of the last straight section before Dinan there is something hard and heavy on the bottom. Steel, I think, judging by the neat v- shaped notch it left in the leading edge of our keel (Keep to the centre or west side of channel here).

Anyway, enjoy the estuary: it is a marvellous playground and very pretty.