South Brittany Marinas

[andyman]

1st post so here goes !!

Contemplating taking the boat to S. Brittany next year to explore different cruising grounds and thinking of getting a permanent marina berth for a few years to base the yacht.

Can I ask if anyone has any info. on the following :-

i. Safe/secure marinas in S. Brittany - have looked at the 'Sagemor' site and Lockmiquelec, near Lorient seems reasonable, any one any experince of this marina or others in the area. ?

ii. About insurance - currently this covers Brest/Elbe and S. Coast of UK, what happens when we turn the corner ? Is there a Brest to La Rochelle area for insurance ?

iii. Is there a discount obtainable from Brittany Ferries or P.O. Ferries for berth holders in France similar to property owners, If so what paperwork will the Ferry companies require ?

Any info. would be appreciated.
Thanks.



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[brianhumber]

Safe Marinas - large selection in this area - Loctudy, Kernevel, Port Haliguen, Port Croustey, Vannes, La Rouche Bernard are all very safe weather wise and have seemed pretty security safe as well when I have been visiting them.

My insurance was extended from Brest to Bordeaux many years ago without extra premiuim and is renewed each year without quibble so can't see you having any troubles.

Can't speak much about ferry fares except these have hardened a lot over the last few years for foot passengers and occasional trips - was quoted over £500 for return to Caen on new fast ferry couple weeks ago- but offers always seem to be available if you ask.

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[charles_reed]

S Brittany is a fantastic sailing area, but you need to choose your marina to suit the transportation.

I don't know if you're intending to always take your car but when I was there I used the TGV and Eurostar - the return fares to Waterloo were about £40-50 and it was faster than flying (by the time you'd travelled and checked in).

If you intend to travel as outlined you need to choose ports on the end of a TGV line.

So, here they are from N-S, for a 10m yacht.

1. Brest - Moulin Blanc. Municipal-owned, about 1400 berths, £250/month as a visitor, annual berth (if you can get one) about £1000. Excellent sailing in the Rade and Iroise, comparable in area to the Solent/Wight, but a little more challenging and rather more places to go to, including 4 quite long navigable rivers. Lots of sailmakers, marine electricians, chandlers, boatyards but a bit far from supermarchés.
2. Benodet - either side of the river at either Penfoul or Kergait. Lots of swinging moorings for 6-7 miles up the river which is a larger, more impressive Dart. the TGV goes to Quimper, a lovely town. Costs in the marinas about 90 % of Moulin Blanc, moorings about 35%, but the stream swooshes in and out of the river at about 4-5 knots so you need a serious tender.
3. La Foret Fouesnant - used to be one of my favourite marinas until Sunsail based there boats there so you find any number of suicidally incompetent Scandanavians and Germans. Again the TGV to Quimper. Almost impossible to get long term moorings so weekly is a bit pricey at about £90/week.
4. Lorient - lots of places, either in the ville (which you lock into), Kernevel (closer to the mouth or Ste Catherine (on the S Bank) or Port Louis (to starboard at entrance behind the Vauban castle). None are touting for long-term custom so you have to pay by the week about £85 for the first 2 and £75 for Ste Catherine. Super coastal sailing to Ile Groix, up coast to Doelan, Merrien, R Aven, Belon, down coast to Belle Ile, Quiberon and the Morbihan. I'm excluding Vannes, tho' served by the TGV it's a 45 minute run out to sea thro' a lock with up to 8 knots thro' the mouth.
5. Pornichet/La Baule - TGV thro' St Nazaire, Pornichet is a pretty ugly man-made marina on the S side of the posh La Baule resort, excellent covered Halles just opposite but pricey in season at about £290/month.

6. Finally and probably the best, not only TGV but Ryanair and Flybe cheap airflights. La Rochelle and all the ports around there with about 1140 berths on Ile de Ré, another 1450 on Oleron, 3500 in Minimes, another 450 in the bassins round the old town and I haven't looked at the moorings and pontoon berths up the Sevre Niortaise and La Charente. An all-the-year round sailing area, far better served than the UK south coast. In 2000/1 I had a pontoon berth with all services at £26/month - admittedly you had to lock in and out and it was 18M out to sea, to which you could only get twice in 24 hours.

PM me if you want any more information or opinions - I've been into nearly every harbour and up most of the rivers on that coast.


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[Ocean Hound]

I would second everything that Charles has said. I have spent the last 5 years in the area, commuting via BF and Ryanair and have only just moved off the Spain. Just go - everything will fall into place. I have wintered for two years in Roche Bernard, using a 1st class gite just downriver for a few days fit out in the Spring. Much better than sleeping on board amongst the debris. Rochefort, just beyond La Rochelle is also very good for the winter and also obliging. Like Charles I have visited many places - should you at any time want more info just PM me. Once you go you find it difficult to return! Bon Voyage.
Rgds
Edward

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[andyman]

Thanks for the info. very useful especially the comment about La Foret Fouesanant with the Sunsail yachts - I've seen enough of them in the Solent and how they are sailed (??). I will give this place a miss.
Like the sound of Benodet/Lorient as this gives options either using the Roscoff ferry or St. Malo
Sounds like a trip over there with the car in winter to see what long term berths we can arrange!

Thanks
Andy



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[Gunfleet]

What a great post Charles. He wanted to know and now he knows! I wish I'd had all that info before the first time I went blundering round there

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[Peter Gordino]

South Brittany.

Hi Charles.

I just read your piece on Brittany below. I am thinking of keeping my Yacht there next year 2013. I have a friend who holidays in South Brittany in La Trinite Sur Mer, in fact his Mother is French and she lives there. They have recommended La Trinite as a place to keep my Yacht 14.3m (47ft) LOA draft 2.1m but they are not sailors, do you have any advice about this particular place and sailing area? She will be kept on a swinging mooring in front of the marina there or recommend an alternative near bye?

Peter Gordino.

S Brittany is a fantastic sailing area, but you need to choose your marina to suit the transportation.

I don't know if you're intending to always take your car but when I was there I used the TGV and Eurostar - the return fares to Waterloo were about £40-50 and it was faster than flying (by the time you'd travelled and checked in).

If you intend to travel as outlined you need to choose ports on the end of a TGV line.

So, here they are from N-S, for a 10m yacht.

1. Brest - Moulin Blanc. Municipal-owned, about 1400 berths, £250/month as a visitor, annual berth (if you can get one) about £1000. Excellent sailing in the Rade and Iroise, comparable in area to the Solent/Wight, but a little more challenging and rather more places to go to, including 4 quite long navigable rivers. Lots of sailmakers, marine electricians, chandlers, boatyards but a bit far from supermarchés.
2. Benodet - either side of the river at either Penfoul or Kergait. Lots of swinging moorings for 6-7 miles up the river which is a larger, more impressive Dart. the TGV goes to Quimper, a lovely town. Costs in the marinas about 90 % of Moulin Blanc, moorings about 35%, but the stream swooshes in and out of the river at about 4-5 knots so you need a serious tender.
3. La Foret Fouesnant - used to be one of my favourite marinas until Sunsail based there boats there so you find any number of suicidally incompetent Scandanavians and Germans. Again the TGV to Quimper. Almost impossible to get long term moorings so weekly is a bit pricey at about £90/week.
4. Lorient - lots of places, either in the ville (which you lock into), Kernevel (closer to the mouth or Ste Catherine (on the S Bank) or Port Louis (to starboard at entrance behind the Vauban castle). None are touting for long-term custom so you have to pay by the week about £85 for the first 2 and £75 for Ste Catherine. Super coastal sailing to Ile Groix, up coast to Doelan, Merrien, R Aven, Belon, down coast to Belle Ile, Quiberon and the Morbihan. I'm excluding Vannes, tho' served by the TGV it's a 45 minute run out to sea thro' a lock with up to 8 knots thro' the mouth.
5. Pornichet/La Baule - TGV thro' St Nazaire, Pornichet is a pretty ugly man-made marina on the S side of the posh La Baule resort, excellent covered Halles just opposite but pricey in season at about £290/month.

6. Finally and probably the best, not only TGV but Ryanair and Flybe cheap airflights. La Rochelle and all the ports around there with about 1140 berths on Ile de Ré, another 1450 on Oleron, 3500 in Minimes, another 450 in the bassins round the old town and I haven't looked at the moorings and pontoon berths up the Sevre Niortaise and La Charente. An all-the-year round sailing area, far better served than the UK south coast. In 2000/1 I had a pontoon berth with all services at £26/month - admittedly you had to lock in and out and it was 18M out to sea, to which you could only get twice in 24 hours.

PM me if you want any more information or opinions - I've been into nearly every harbour and up most of the rivers on that coast.


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[TSB240]

South Britttany Favourite

S Brittany is a fantastic sailing area, but you need to choose your marina to suit the transportation.

I don't know if you're intending to always take your car but when I was there I used the TGV and Eurostar - the return fares to Waterloo were about £40-50 and it was faster than flying (by the time you'd travelled and checked in).

If you intend to travel as outlined you need to choose ports on the end of a TGV line.

So, here they are from N-S, for a 10m yacht.

1. Brest - Moulin Blanc. Municipal-owned, about 1400 berths, £250/month as a visitor, annual berth (if you can get one) about £1000. Excellent sailing in the Rade and Iroise, comparable in area to the Solent/Wight, but a little more challenging and rather more places to go to, including 4 quite long navigable rivers. Lots of sailmakers, marine electricians, chandlers, boatyards but a bit far from supermarchés.
2. Benodet - either side of the river at either Penfoul or Kergait. Lots of swinging moorings for 6-7 miles up the river which is a larger, more impressive Dart. the TGV goes to Quimper, a lovely town. Costs in the marinas about 90 % of Moulin Blanc, moorings about 35%, but the stream swooshes in and out of the river at about 4-5 knots so you need a serious tender.
3. La Foret Fouesnant - used to be one of my favourite marinas until Sunsail based there boats there so you find any number of suicidally incompetent Scandanavians and Germans. Again the TGV to Quimper. Almost impossible to get long term moorings so weekly is a bit pricey at about £90/week.
4. Lorient - lots of places, either in the ville (which you lock into), Kernevel (closer to the mouth or Ste Catherine (on the S Bank) or Port Louis (to starboard at entrance behind the Vauban castle). None are touting for long-term custom so you have to pay by the week about £85 for the first 2 and £75 for Ste Catherine. Super coastal sailing to Ile Groix, up coast to Doelan, Merrien, R Aven, Belon, down coast to Belle Ile, Quiberon and the Morbihan. I'm excluding Vannes, tho' served by the TGV it's a 45 minute run out to sea thro' a lock with up to 8 knots thro' the mouth.
5. Pornichet/La Baule - TGV thro' St Nazaire, Pornichet is a pretty ugly man-made marina on the S side of the posh La Baule resort, excellent covered Halles just opposite but pricey in season at about £290/month.

6. Finally and probably the best, not only TGV but Ryanair and Flybe cheap airflights. La Rochelle and all the ports around there with about 1140 berths on Ile de Ré, another 1450 on Oleron, 3500 in Minimes, another 450 in the bassins round the old town and I haven't looked at the moorings and pontoon berths up the Sevre Niortaise and La Charente. An all-the-year round sailing area, far better served than the UK south coast. In 2000/1 I had a pontoon berth with all services at £26/month - admittedly you had to lock in and out and it was 18M out to sea, to which you could only get twice in 24 hours.

PM me if you want any more information or opinions - I've been into nearly every harbour and up most of the rivers on that coast.


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Every body has there favourites

Ours is

http://www.sagemor.com/foleux.html

We used it for our summer cruise base a year ago and found it, the operators, the locals and the river Villaine delightful. It is a little further inland from La Roche B. but still only an hour from the Barage at Arzal. (Now thats an experience not to be missed!)
Very much more protected from winter winds but possibly a frost hollow. It was also full of helpful english liveaboards which might be a downside if you want the full on french experience. There is also a good boat yard which can organise lift out , storage and major maintenance at lower prices than La roche or Arzal.

Long term swinging moorings on the Villaine were available at very cheap prices. Space in the marinas were based on waiting lists at that time. It was free to visit any marina and use their eleccy. We were only ever charged for an overnight stay and the most we paid was 14 euros!

If you can get onto the Passport Morbihan scheme run by Sagemor.

One small benefit of the Villlaine is it is fresh water and you have minimal requirement for antifouling as alternating betweeen salt and fresh keeps the bottom clear.

 

[Sybarite]

1st post so here goes !!

Contemplating taking the boat to S. Brittany next year to explore different cruising grounds and thinking of getting a permanent marina berth for a few years to base the yacht.

Can I ask if anyone has any info. on the following :-

i. Safe/secure marinas in S. Brittany - have looked at the 'Sagemor' site and Lockmiquelec, near Lorient seems reasonable, any one any experince of this marina or others in the area. ?

ii. About insurance - currently this covers Brest/Elbe and S. Coast of UK, what happens when we turn the corner ? Is there a Brest to La Rochelle area for insurance ?

iii. Is there a discount obtainable from Brittany Ferries or P.O. Ferries for berth holders in France similar to property owners, If so what paperwork will the Ferry companies require ?

Any info. would be appreciated.
Thanks.



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I have been based at Locmiquélic for the last 20 years or so and it's great. However - here is the text of a pm I sent recently to somebody else:

I spoke to our marina, Locmiquelic, and there is a waiting list of about 7 years for the marina and two years for a swinging mooring. This is perhaps the norm in S. Brittany. However they did say that there might be an interim solution using a selection of possibilities: swinging mooring, temporary places available and haul-outs. Try giving them a call: 02 9733 5951. If French is a problem, ask to speak to Catherine Gautier, who speaks good English.

The person I spoke to said that there may be moorings at Etel but with a bar and being exposed to westerlies, it's not always the easiest of entrances.

 

[Gelfie]

Try Piriac sur Mer. Excellent facilities and friendly harbour master. The village is small but has regular market and a few good resturants.

 

[Koeketiene]

.
2. Benodet - either side of the river at either Penfoul or Kergait. Lots of swinging moorings for 6-7 miles up the river which is a larger, more impressive Dart. the TGV goes to Quimper, a lovely town. Costs in the marinas about 90 % of Moulin Blanc, moorings about 35%, but the stream swooshes in and out of the river at about 4-5 knots so you need a serious tender.

We're currently on the waiting list for a mooring on the Odet River. Been told we should expect a 2-3 year wait.
At St Marine pontoon berths were impossible to get (max 39'); they were a possibility in Benodet but became available very rarely - basically 'dead man's shoes'.

 

[Roberto]

they were a possibility in Benodet but became available very rarely - basically 'dead man's shoes'.

Benodet, like La Trinité, is a bit like "Paris-sur-mer"

Especially during summer, a *lot* of car plates you see there are numbered 75 or 92 (Paris and posh surroundings), instead of 29 or 56 which would be the correct department number for Finisterre and Morbihan depts

 

[Nostrodamus]

We spent a long time sailing around Brittany last year and stayed the winter in La Rochelle meeting many French friends.
In some places they were quiet angry that the Brits and the German had money to buy berths which was pushing costs of Marinas up.
As has been said by many there seems to be a very long waiting list in many places for a permanent berth. The average seems to be between 5 and 10 years.
Put yourself on a list and it will never seem to go down. The best way is to actually have your boat there and go into a marina. If you are there then you stand a better chance of being moved up the list. Just put yur name down and you will still be 1010 on the list in 20 years.

We do have some pictures and thoughts on the various places we visited on the blogs on our web site
http://www.cygnus3.com/index.php?p=1_37
I did like Vannes and La Rochelle (where they are building a huge extension to the marina at present)