Visiting France - an update

[Laser310]

I have emailed both a "port of Entry", and a "protocol" port.

Neither thought it was important that I was entering at a port of entry - CDG, and both said I could exit at a protocol port, of which there are many.

 

[MontyMariner]

Bit more than 10 mins from the marina berth.

The same in St Malo, quite a hike when your knees and hips are on their way out.

 

[st599]

I have emailed both a "port of Entry", and a "protocol" port.

Neither thought it was important that I was entering at a port of entry - CDG, and both said I could exit at a protocol port, of which there are many.

The issue is the entry stamp in your passport - you need a matching exit stamp which according to RYA are only available at Ports of Entry.

 

[ashtead]

Yes this was the issue a few years ago admittedly , we had with crew arriving by ferry into st malo obtaining a stamp in but then having to obtain an exit stamp using the car line as not a returning foot passenger. Hopefully since then exit stamps have become more accessible though for non ferry passengers

 

[Laser310]

The issue is the entry stamp in your passport - you need a matching exit stamp which according to RYA are only available at Ports of Entry.

That is what i read on the CA website.

Nevertheless, I was pretty clear in my email to the two port officials that i will enter France at CDG.

they pretty explicitly answered that it didn't matter.

The official at the PAF port said I could use a PPF port, and I then emailed the PPF port and they agreed.

Of course, it may work out differently when I actually try to do it.., we will see...

 

[st599]

That is what i read on the CA website.

Nevertheless, I was pretty clear in my email to the two port officials that i will enter France at CDG.

they pretty explicitly answered that it didn't matter.

The official at the PAF port said I could use a PPF port, and I then emailed the PPF port and they agreed.

Of course, it may work out differently when I actually try to do it.., we will see...

Not their problem if it goes wrong though - it's up to the passport holder to ensure they have the exit stamp.

 

[Laser310]

Not their problem if it goes wrong though - it's up to the passport holder to ensure they have the exit stamp.

Sure, but if it's stamped., then it's stamped - right?

there is no "wrong" stamp, is there?

If they do as they say they will, then I'm okay - right?

 

[lustyd]

Sure, but if it's stamped., then it's stamped - right?

there is no "wrong" stamp, is there?

If they do as they say they will, then I'm okay - right?

Yes there are two different stamps so yes there is a wrong stamp. The system was literally designed that way on purpose. Holiday destinations for yachties have little stamps and you must enter and leave from the same port. Proper big stamps you are free to move about and check in/out anywhere in Schengen.

 

[LittleSister]

I think the remaining issue about the stamp for the cruise is not a big deal in your particular situation.

The issue with being PAF 'belt and braces' stamped out (rather than the 'stamp-out-lite' one seemingly gets at the minor PFF ports) is to ensure the '90 days in any 180' clock is stopped while you are out of France.

As you are returning to France the worst that can happen (it seems) by using the minor port check-out/check-in procedure is that you lose the (presumably few) days you are on your Scilly trip. Had you been fully checked in to France at CdG, then used the PFF check-out process to depart France, then got off your mate's boat in the Scilly Isles and stayed in the UK, you might perhaps find the next time you tried to enter the EU your PFF departure may not have been entered onto the main database, and you'd look as though you'd been in France/EU the whole time since you landed at CdG, likely exceeded your permitted 90 days, and could be refused entry.

In your situation I'd proceed but hang on to if possible, but otherwise photograph or scan, your PFF check out and check in stamps.

 

[Laser310]

As you are returning to France the worst that can happen (it seems) by using the minor port check-out/check-in procedure is that you lose the (presumably few) days you are on your Scilly trip. Had you been fully checked in to France at CdG, then used the PFF check-out process to depart France, then got off your mate's boat in the Scilly Isles and stayed in the UK, you might perhaps find the next time you tried to enter the EU your PFF departure may not have been entered onto the main database, and you'd look as though you'd been in France/EU the whole time since you landed at CdG, likely exceeded your permitted 90 days, and could be refused entry.

I see.

Well, then I better make sure I return to France, and get stamped out again at CDG when I fly home.

On the other hand, there seems to be no question that if one initially enters at a PFF port that the clock will start.., or is there a question about that?

 

[John_Silver]

Start & finish from the visitors berths. Do not forget you have to get back.
No running.
One foot on the ground at all times , otherwise you will be disqualified.
If the bridge is open for a ship, that is your hard luck.

Now, this has taken a while @Daydream believer, so I hope that you weren't holding your breath......



Definitive timing: Outer end of D'Esnambuc pontoon, to the Douanes booth door, in the Dieppe ferry terminal: 19min 12secs. At an easy lope. No ships.

Did set off on Monday 7.4.25, but spring shakedown gremlins struck. With port stopovers required to resolve a parted halyard, an overlength jib luff and pilot gyro shenanigans. Which dropped us out of our weather window. Fingers crossed that we've got our three strokes of bad luck out of the way, up front, for this season. And thank you to @wilkinsonsails for super speedy overnight fixes. As well as to Psi Marine, for clear phone instructions, to a gibbering technical illiterate, crouched over a recalcitrant Raymarine EV 100.

 

[John_Silver]

In Cherbourg, for the first time in 2025. The PaF are still attending the capitainerie, for 'full fat' Schengen stamp in/out. BUT timing & frequency varies as follows (note inset, at bottom, with directions to PaF HQ):



Worth being aware that, keypad controlled gates have now been installed, on all pontoons. 'Out of hours,' you'll need to ask a neighbouring boat, if you want a quick run ashore before bedtime. Same number for showers and gates.

Dieppe, where we stamped in, still formality free. No paperwork involved. Just show up, at a time to suit you (other than a ferry arrival/departure), for your passport stamp.

 

[Laser310]

My trip is concluded and I thought I would update this thread with my PFF port experiences

The short version is: they aren’t fussed over it, and you might be able to enter and leave from any port.

Nobody cared that I entered France at a PAF port.

First, I was going to depart France from port haliguen in Qiberon. They are not a listed as a PFF port but said they were associated with la trinite near by which is a pFF port, so they could do it.

But then the plan changed and L’Orient was our departure point for the UK. They are not a PFF port. They called “the head office” who told them it was okay. I filled out the form, and when I went to return it they were out. I called on ch 9, and they said to put the form in their mail box.

Returning from the UK, we went to Camaret which is a PFF port. They gave me the form, told me to fill it out, and instead of giving it to them, had me email a photo of it to the head office.

 

[gjgm]

My trip is concluded and I thought I would update this thread with my PFF port experiences

The short version is: they aren’t fussed over it, and you might be able to enter and leave from any port.

Nobody cared that I entered France at a PAF port.

First, I was going to depart France from port haliguen in Qiberon. They are not a listed as a PFF port but said they were associated with la trinite near by which is a pFF port, so they could do it.

But then the plan changed and L’Orient was our departure point for the UK. They are not a PFF port. They called “the head office” who told them it was okay. I filled out the form, and when I went to return it they were out. I called on ch 9, and they said to put the form in their mail box.

Returning from the UK, we went to Camaret which is a PFF port. They gave me the form, told me to fill it out, and instead of giving it to them, had me email a photo of it to the head office.

It does seem to vary area by area. My experience over the last two years is that Roscoff sticks to the absolute letter, for example.
Additionally, I incorrectly filled a departure form from Trebeurden - (in error, I put that I had arrived in France at Roscoff, ) and St Brieuc regional head office would not process it, saying that I must leave via a PFF port.
Incidentally, I have seen in some places that Trebeurden has dropped of the list of "light entry" marinas. St Brieuc have told me that is not correct- Trebeurden is included again for 2025.

 

[LittleSister]

It does seem to vary area by area. My experience over the last two years is that Roscoff sticks to the absolute letter, for example.
Additionally, I incorrectly filled a departure form from Trebeurden - (in error, I put that I had arrived in France at Roscoff, ) and St Brieuc regional head office would not process it, saying that I must leave via a PFF port.
Incidentally, I have seen in some places that Trebeurden has dropped of the list of "light entry" marinas. St Brieuc have told me that is not correct- Trebeurden is included again for 2025.

I am beginning to suspect it is all a deliberate wind-up. They still haven't forgiven us for the Hundred Years Was, our role in defeating Napoleon, etc.

 

[Laser310]

From what I saw, the whole process is casual enough that I could easily see how an entry could get recorded, while the subsequent exit goes unrecorded; the form gets forgotten in a drawer somewhere.

 

[bobgarrett]

Incidentally, I have seen in some places that Trebeurden has dropped of the list of "light entry" marinas. St Brieuc have told me that is not correct- Trebeurden is included again for 2025.

Trebeurden was not on the list the Cruising Association issued as they had failed to respond to a number of request to confirm they were still processing the forms. However, since then 2 CA members have confirmed from their own experience that they are doing this. See Cruising Association welcomes easier check in/out for cruising to France | CA

 

[MontyMariner]

(note inset, at bottom, with directions to PaF HQ)

From what I remember last year, even when you get to the building, the PAF office isn't obvious, it's a door in the corner of the courtyard.

 

[gjgm]

Trebeurden was not on the list the Cruising Association issued as they had failed to respond to a number of request to confirm they were still processing the forms. However, since then 2 CA members have confirmed from their own experience that they are doing this. See Cruising Association welcomes easier check in/out for cruising to France | CA

I asked St Brieuc direct as they are ones responsible. They are always very prompt and I got an answer within a few hours. Two minutes later they replied again ,apologising that they had not sent me copies of the Trebeurden forms which were duly attached.

 

[lustyd]

The short version is: they aren’t fussed over it

Well they wouldn’t be, would they? They hold no responsibility if you’re found to be illegally in the country whatsoever.
You, on the other hand, will be fined, deported, and banned from travel to the EU. Any number of things could lead to this outcome including hospital visits, traffic accidents etc.
As a yachtsman it’s your responsibility to complete border procedures. Their role is to facilitate that, not chase you about making sure you’ve done it correctly. By “they” I mean border officials, not customs and not marina staff.

This is something the tabloids ignore when talking about “the border”. There isn’t one, just some theatre at mass transit sites.