Travel to La Rochelle/Gulf of Morbihan

Spacewaist

Spacewaist

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Anyone know whether there are presently flights direct from La Rochelle or other convenient ports on the Biscay Coast of France?

Thinking of leaving boat there after Easter.

<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2002
 
Ryanair will fly from Stansted to La Rochelle from 1st May to 25th October 2003.
Currently their cheapest flights are £8.99 + tax

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For Golfe de Morbihan, try searching for flights to L'Orient. I suspect there may be a direct service from somewhere in the UK (poss. Stansted or Luton) during the summer at least.



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Don't forget you can take a tgv. You can get from Waterloo to Vannes (on the Morbihan) with just one change at Lille. I've done it - it's a vast improvement on the plane.

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Why bother to fly? Far more options by using TGV to Paris/Lille from Vannes/LaRochelle and thence Eurostar.

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Realistically about 7 hrs. I can't remember the times from London but from Redon to Waterloo took from 8 am to 2 pm French time, 3 pm English. But you have to compare like with like. You can walk from the station in Vannes or Redon to your boat's berth, and London Waterloo means somehwere in the city proper, on the tube, as opposed for example to London Luton (who the hell are they kidding?) or even Gatwick (London Brighton, as it's known to aficionados). When you get bored on the train you can go for a walk. You can chat to neighbours. Walk down to the bar and get a drink. Sleep. Stretch out. Maybe get a meal. No one is going to go through that ghastly speech (can I have your attention sir while I make the safety announcements?) If you go via Paris you can get a jolly good lunch along the way. I'm tired listing the advantages. Happy travelling. THe year I kept my boat at Redon was one of the best years I spent with a sailing boat. And I think the mooring fees were in the 350 squids range or the year.

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Re: Space.

I notice that you are 42 foot. We went down there last year hoping to leave the boat for long week ends. _Vanne would be ideal - however you have to leave your boat on the visitors pontoons rafted out. I was not happy at the idea of others moving your boat etc, although it is very sheltered. Its unlikely that you will get a finger pontoon. Laurient may be a suitable place, - new marina on south side which may have monthly space.

JohnM mentioned Redon on the Villaine river. There is 30 miles of beautiful river, but if you want to get out of it for a long weekend, you have to lock out, the bay outside is very shallow, and the nearest harbour to visit is some 30 miles. A good base if you are not long weekending. We are going back to Plymouth this year - as the travelling was too much of a hasle!

Do consider the option of eurostar - it may be six hours - but you don't have to contend with the likes (or dislikes) of Mr Ryanair!

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Re: Space.

Of course you're right, Chris, Vannes is the only port to go for there if you want to do a few long weekends. My boat is only 26 ft so pontoons are possible in Vannes. And I like the journey from Redon to the sea. It makes the antifoul stretch for a couple of seasons. One last point - the weather is warmer for longer in Southern Brittany. People can get in quite a bit of sailing in January and Feb if they're so inclined, especially in the Morbihan.

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Le Roche Bernard

Going down on Thursday to launch (provided new prop shaft fitted) French for prop shaft is Arbre - hope its not wooden!

So I hope there is some good Southerly quadrant winds to tale us back to Plymouth. I'll miss the Villaine - it really is very beautiful.

Chris

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