Caution

As the information on this page is contributed by many people, it is not possible to vouch for its accuracy. Information can also be 'out of date' at the time that the information is read. The information must not be used for navigational purposes. The safety of a vessel depends ultimately on the judgement of the skipper, who should assess all information, published or unpublished. We cannot be held responsible in any way for consequences that may be incurred as a result of using information from this site.

Calais
Marina extensively refurbished and extended for 2004 season, very smart, even electronic flushing of toilets! visitors can berth alongside, or be allocated a finger berth by the harbourmaster. Charge for 10 metre yacht 18 Euro. Free electricity, water and showers. No restaurant, but many excellent eating places in town nearby. Opening times of bridge (Pont Henri Henon) and gate have been extended in 2004, with five openings each tide. These are at HW-2, HW-1, HW, HW+1.15 and HW+2.30. Diesel, waste oil disposal. Large number of waiting buoys below bridge, with unseemly dash to been first through the bridge when it opens! Ray Glaister, Babaji, July 2004

Ouistreham - A new boatwash is about to come into commission. See www.nautipark.com Ed. 26/10/05

Calvados – The regional council has extensive plans to create a new marina at Ouistreham, new yacht basins at Grandcamp-Maisy, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Dives-sur-mer and Honfleur, as well as expanding berths at Isigny, Courseilles and Deauville-Trouville.  Progress may be followed at: www.portbleu-caen-ouistreham.com      Ed.: 14/07/05

Cherbourg – Port Chantereyne – Discount rates are on offer for winter berths eg 542euros for five months for 8m to 704 euros for seven months. Plus a free month on the hard.  For details ring: +33 (0)233 876575. Ed. 24/06/05

Dielette
Very nice new marina. easy access, well sheltered, spacious, uncrowded, sill passable about HW –3 to +3. Good cheap bar/restaurant on quay and posher restaurant also. Typical French hotel/bar/restaurant in nearby village. Well stocked small supermarket in Flamanville about a mile up the hill. More advanced shopping in Les Pieux about 4 miles away. John Northcott October 2001

Carteret
Another nice new marina accessed across extensive drying banks at the right state of tide HW –21/2 to +21/2. Very crowded at weekends. Good restaurants and all the amenities of a small seaside town. Portbail Small drying harbour in large landlocked sandy bay. Minimal facilities. Almost full of small local boats on trots. (Mud rather smelly) Visitors lie alongside pontoon, but if you are a fin-keeler with legs stand off a little or the pontoon will come down on your leg as the tide falls. Very attractive small town half a mile along the causeway with well reputed restaurants. John Northcott October 2001

Granville
Large very well-appointed sheltered marina with usual tidal restricted access. Town pleasant, bustling, with attractive old quarter and historical interest. John Northcott October 2001

Plouer-sur-Rance
Small new marina converted from old tide-mill basin. Extremely pleasant and efficient Capitaine (Mlle. Lilian). Typical pretty rural Brittany surroundings. Two boatyards and village with good small hypermarket a mile away. John Northcott October 2001

Lyvet
Small marina with minimal amenities just above Chatelier lock in non-tidal section of river. Good restaurant but shops in another village 2 miles away. Attractive cycle ride along river bank to Dinan. John Northcott October 2001

The West coast of the Cotentin peninsula is an attractive cruising ground in good conditions with easy passages between ports, but it is no place to be in bad weather from the west with a shoaling lee shore and restricted access to ports of refuge. John Northcott October 2001

St Quay Portrieux - has reduced its off season charges. 10 - 11 metres 67 FF from 1 October to 30 April, 92 FF May, June and September. Still fairly pricy by French standards July August at 147 FF. Shower jetons 10 FF.

Paimpol - The entrance channel seems to have silted somewhat. In last, buoyed, part of the channel we found depths about half to one metre less than charted. On a very low neap with our 1.85 draft we had to stay another day. Also, the harbour master tells me that the stream running into the harbour dries up in the Summer. Do not rely on the advertised depth inside. If in doubt, give them a call on Channel 9. Frank Singleton 18 April 1999

Treguier - The CA handbook recommendation to leave/arrive only at slack water is too restrictive. However at least enter up tide as the notice at pontoon end says. I found it ok to enter on falling tide so was face to tide when leaving on the ebb. On no account moor downtide. The flow of water seems to be along the finger pontoons at high water but diagonal when the water level is low. There an additional hazard just 40 metres upstream of the top pontoon. The foundations of the old bridge (one arch visible on east bank) dry 4.7 metres according to my chart. It looks like a good place to turn!! Roger Saunders 17/7/99

Perros Guirec I found the marina entrance confusing partly because of the large number of boats outside the marina on drying moorings and partly because the large number of yachts sailing about gave the impression they were waiting for the gate to open. They weren't, they had just come out for a jolly. The lesson I learnt was to trust the Almanac and the chart and go for it. Roger Saunders, Yacht Badger, 17/7/99

Morlaix – Note article by David Rainsbury in PBO n.458 February 2005: “Timing Tides to Morlaix” which gives clear guidance through the Baie de Morlaix as well as general information, restaurants, services, things to do, in the town.  Ed., 18/04/05

L’Aberwrac’h  - A new café/bar on the quay has opened up wider possibilities for runs ashore.  The Jersey owners welcome boat people and are a useful source of pilotage and weather information. Ed. 10/12/04

Significant additional berths are expected to be available shortly. Facilities at Yacht Club. John Horrill, HLR, 16/04/05