Sailing on the Rance

[Guest]

I am considering a family holiday next summer in Brittany, possibly based near St Malo. The Rance estruary looks as though it might interesting for family sailing (I have a trailer-sailer). Could anyone advise on this, and in particular the best places to be based for launching and keeping a boat in the water? I am interested in how worthwhile the area above the barrage is. Thanks

 

[charles_reed]

There are calés at St Suliac, Le Minic and Mordreuc if you don't mind immersing your trailer or you can use the slip or the boat hoist at Plouer marina.
The currents are weird, due to the sluice gates and you need to watch out for that.
The estuary is pretty - I'd suggest getting the pamphlet from the Hr M at St Malo - 02 99 81 71 34 - giving you the info in French about the estuary

 

[johndf]

I'd recommend a trip up to Dinan through the second lock at Chatelier as well. I just came back from there last weekend and it was fabulous.

 

[philip_stevens]

I can secong that. I was there during the summer. There was a gale blowing outside, but up at Dinan there was no wind and the daily temps were up in the top 20's.

Restuarants alongside the quay, showers in the harbour masters office (I can't spell capitan..... etc). Up the hill are an abundance of shops. The whole area is very interesting.

Well worth a visit. Ab Fab.

regards,
Philip

 

[steve_cronin]

I can endorse everything that has been said. We went all the way through to the Atlantic in 91 traversing 62 locks on the way! It is ideal trailersailor territory and plenty to see. Even children don't get bored. They can cycle along the "towpath2 in perfewct safety.

Don't miss "A l'Abri des Flots" at Mordrieuc must be the best lunch available in Brittany and at fantastic value too.

Enjoy it!

Steve Cronin

 

[Guest]

I can thoroughly recommend Plouer marina as a place to stay. We were there this summer, and enjoyed every bit.

Peace and quiet. Safe for the family. There is a bar/restaurant overlookng the wide part of the river (great in the evenings) The lady who runs the marina is very friendly and helpful.

There are no shops in the immediate area (Plouer village is about 20 mins walk away) but there are cycles for rent (for next tonothing!!) so you can get to the village easily. The lady will also order grocery essentials for you on a daily basis.

Rgds

Lindsay Kennedy

 

[Guest]

Thank you to all who responded. I think the Rance would have been enjoyable but we will have to save it for another year as we could not get the accommodation we wanted at the time we wanted. So we will not be too far from Lochtudy in southern Brittany instead. Anyone know Lochtudy....?!

 

[Sybarite]

Thank you to all who responded. I think the Rance would have been enjoyable but we will have to save it for another year as we could not get the accommodation we wanted at the time we wanted. So we will not be too far from Lochtudy in southern Brittany instead. Anyone know Lochtudy....?!

Actually it's Loctudy. It's a good base for visiting the Glénan islands as well as the Odet. The marina otoh is quite far from the town. You'll probably find the weather a bit better than N. Brittany even though it has been a wet year up until now.

 

[prv]

OK, I think that's a record. Resurrection twelve years after the last post

Pete

 

[guernseyman]

There are calés at St Suliac, Le Minic and Mordreuc....

First instance of the grocer's acute accent?

Fairly important in speech; calé (piston) is different to cale (slipway).

 

[TQA]

Why not go a little further the Gulf of Morbihan is trailer sailor heaven. Lots of slip ways and even some free visitors moorings in places.