S Brittany in August?

[TiggerToo]

Would anyone care to give me some advice, recommendations, encouragement etc about spending a couple of weeks cruising S Brittany in August? I know that it is high season in France and there is a risk of crowds: but how bad can it get? Are there places to be avoided - or should one give it a miss altogether?

 

[TigaWave]

First it's lovely...so go, busy ish, but it's a big area with a huge number of places to stop at, lots of islands, anchorages and little harbours as well as several marinas.

I was there last in July and August 03 in the heat wave. It really wasn't that bad. Rafting yes but also some opportunities for quiet anchorages. Iles de Glenan were lovely. Never had a problem getting a berth when we chose to be in town or in a marina.

The French harbour masters have a way of squeezing in an extra boat here and there. Most cramped was Saint Martin Isla de Re. Rafted 5 or 6 deep and only a 3m wide channel left to the other side at one point.
Marinas in Sables D Olonne, La rochelle, Port de la Pointe, Concarneau and Benodet all had space. we were 12.00 x 4.00m

Only bit of advice is, if you go to Belle Isle, Le palais harbour, go through the lock gates and raft up. The bouys in the harbour are constantly churned up by ferry wash.

Have a good trip.

 

[guernseyman]

Ile de Groix possibly worse - boats packed in like sardines then more, and more. Very unnerving, but everyone was good-natured, and it worked.

 

[rwoofer]

Must I admit, I never found ferry wash a particular problem in Le Palais. Maybe it depends on the captain?

Like others have said it can get crowded, but I've never found a problem. We were 3 weeks in S. Brittany last year and only used a marina twice, all the rest of the time we were at anchor or on a mooring buoy. Places with loads of space include Iles de Glenan, Odet River, Golf de Morbihan, Villaine River (you can pretty much anchor anywhere along the bank), Ile de Houat.

It is a fantastic cruising area, so don't be put off by the crowds.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Good advice above. In general, the offshore islands are a crush, which leaves some vacancies on the mainland. Apart from the tidal gates through Le Four and Raz de Sein (don't do in wind over tide if you like a level ride!), tides are so much lighter than the north coast that they're hardly an issue - except entering and leaving Morbihan.

Do Morbihan for a bit of tidal excitement, and (as always throughout Brittany) visit some of the half timbered towns at the head of the creeks to enjoy the cafe culture; Vannes or Auray.

The rough guide (quite rightly, in my opinion) describes La Rochelle as the best seashore town in Europe, but it is a bit far south for a fortnight's cruise. Concarneau is a good second choice.

If you like history of the sea, Douarnenez has many restored working vessels afloat. The museum on the end of the quay at Camaret is also interesting.


Benodet is really bucket and spade oriented.

An occasional summer excitement in offshore anchorages is the 'vent solaire', a night-time clear weather summer wind that drops in at a F4 or F5 from the NE quadrant. Watch the legions of boats which only veer 3x depth anchor chain whistle past backwards, pyjama dressed, starting engines, heaving anchors . . .

Easy cruising in busy, attractive waters, but always just enough space. Check my website for comparisons with similar areas.

 

[Roger_D]

If you go into Benodet watch out for the starboard marker on the way to the entrance. At high water it looks like a buoy, but is a beacon sitting on one extensive piece of rock which has claimed many a boat sailing too close to it. Entering the marina at Port de Penfoul just up river (left bank) at anything other than slack tide will test your skills and may provide everyone else with a spectacle. Imagine the whole marina sailing along at 2.5 knots and trying to come alongside. Take lots of fenders. Watch out for fog. Its great though.