Sailing Solent to Bordeaux

[RobertE]

Can anyone refer me to recommended information regarding safe and/or interesting ports and anchorages on the route from the Solent to Bordeaux, particularly down the French coast ?
Thanks,
Robert

 

[Allan]

You will find it hard to find a bad port! Most of the ports in Brittany are wonderfull. If you have about 2 years you could do them all justice. The Morbihan is a joy and you must go to Les Sables-d'Olonne, the home of French yachting.
Allan

 

[albineer]

Further south you've got La Rochelle and Rochefort, both historic towns and Royan at the mouth of the Gironde.

 

[Ocean Hound]

Laberwrach, Cameret, Benodet, Lorient, Sauzon and many many more all the way down to La Rochelle. PM me if you want a chat.

 

[jimbaerselman]

And there's a broad brush write up of the areas you'll sail thru' on my web site

 

[RobertE]

My thanks to Jim, Oceanhound and Bykergramps for their advice, much appreciated

Robert

 

[RobertE]

And thanks to Allan too !!

Rob

 

[Sea Devil]

whilst all the above is true be careful going into the estuary mouth of the Gironde.

Despite what the chart suggests I would follow the buoyed channel in and try really hard to make it on a flood tide.. In a lot of wind (and over the the tide) it can be really quite rough with standing waves.

It is easier to time from La Rochelle... Rochefort is a long way up a tidal river with a lock which only operates around HW... You will probably want to stop at Royan once you are into the estuary. From there you will need to get a full tide to Bordeaux... There is a waiting pontoon outside Bordeaux port and a DIY crane inside for 30 euros a half day... If not there are ports on the way up with cranes operated by their owners.

It is again the best part of a day from Bordeaux to the start of the canal du midi and again you must work the tide.. There is a waiting pontoon outside the sea locks into the canal - after that its all easy peasy and really beautiful.