The Tour des Ports de la Manche

[richardbrennan]

Anybody know anything about this event?

Home - Tour des ports de la Manche - La plus grande course à la voile de Normandie

I am planning a cruise to the Channel Islands in July and aim to cross to Cherbourg on Sunday the 5th of July weather gods willing. This event hits Cherbourg the following Thursday and I wonder how many boats are likely to be taking part and whether they will close off a large section of the marina as they do for the Figaro race?

Many Thanks

 

[DJE]

100 or so boats the last time we met them. They close off a large part of Cherbourg's visitor berths and completely take over the smaller ports. Best to take their timetable with you and arrive everywhere the day they leave.

 

[Bobc]

It's a fab event, I've done it for the last 2 years.

Typically over 100 boats. You should be ok on Cherbourg as they stick all the TdP boats in the big slot by the car park. It is pretty busy though. I would recommend trying not to be there on the same day as the fleet, as it does get a bit chaotic (bar, showers, etc.).

 

[Bobc]

Maybe you should enter. It's the cheapest way to cruise the area for a few weeks. It's 60 Euros per person (so 240 Euros if there are 4 on the boat), which includes the entry fee, all your mooring fees for the week, dinner at every port, and beer/wine most nights. You can also arrive at the first port (Granville this year) up to a week before and stay for free, and stay at the final port (St. Vaast) for 3 days after the finish for free. It's also very sociable.

 

[richardbrennan]

Hi Bob

I'd love to enter, but unfortunately don't have the time.

Thanks everyone for the information, it's most helpful.

 

[Bathdave]

I’ve done the event and also cruised around the area while it’s going on

As Bobc says, it’s great fun.

The start and finish ports can be full for a couple of day before/after, but apart from that the interim ports fill up with circa 100-120 boats late afternoon on the designated day and are all gone the next morning, they tend to be quite rowdy

The trick is to plan your itinerary to arrive the day before or the day after