Cruising Area - Brittany Sailing for Gites , Sailing Courses, and Sail & Stay Holidays

Camaret-Sur-Mer (Home port of Cornish Legend)

Camaret is situated on the most western point of the Crozon Peninsula but is ideally protected from the Atlantic weather as it is tucked round Point de Penhir and faces east. There is a long breakwater that has a delightful church at the end together with the magnificent old fort which used to protect the town from invaders (including the Brits!). Camaret is a smaller version of St. Ives, in Cornwall, as it has many art galleries, shops, cafes/bars and restaurants surrounding the picturesque harbour. There are two marinas at Camaret which can be entered at all states of the tide. CORNISH LEGEND is normally berthed in the inside one which is the first one you come to when driving along the harbour front. If you carry on to the outside marina you pass the old fishing boat hulks, that Camaret is famous for, pulled up on the foreshore. On the other side of the breakwater is a lovely sandy beach which is one of many in the area. There is free parking at both marinas. Camaret is beautifully positioned for sailing as it is only about half an hour from the entrance to the Rade De Brest and is central for cruising north or south along the Breton coast. We can also pick up our guests from the Moulin Blanc marina at Brest, if flying in.

Rade De Brest

Is an inland waterway, only half an hour sailing from Camaret, with Brest and its associate

shoreline to the north and the Crozon Peninsula to the south. It extends over 25kms in an east/west direction and is 10kms wide in places. With an access to the sea being only 1.8kms wide it insures the water inside is always protected from the Atlantic Ocean. There are numerous small harbours within this area including Le Fret, Roscanvel, Landevennec, and of course Brest with its large marinas, shopping centre and the world famous aquarium OCEANOPOLIS. There are two navigable river estuaries of the Elorn and the Aulne which offer a delightful cruising ground with enough rural anchorages to keep a relaxed crew going for a week. A beautiful trip is to sail 20 miles up the Aulne River to the picturesque port of Launay and a little further on is the attractive town of Chateaulin where we tie up next to the main street. The whole voyage is through a tree and reed lined valley in the countryside, which is full of bird life with more white egrets than than the common heron!. Finally we pass through the Guily Glas Lock (if we can get the lock-keeper out of the bar!) and arrive at Launay.

Breton Coast – North of Camaret

Within an easy day’s sail of Camaret there are five excellent ports to visit plus many anchorages. Close at hand Le Conquet (which is a fishing

port), L’Aber-ldut (which is always a joy to visit), beautiful L’Aber Benoitand & Portsall (which has a little fishing harbour). Each port has its own individual charm and being situated on the Breton coast makes entering and leaving an interesting exercise! Further on round on the north coast is the famous port of L’Aber Wrac’h.

Breton Coast – South of Camaret

Going south, after passing through the off lying islands of Les Tas de Pois, we cross the Bay of Douarnenez, passing the excellent harbour of Morgat to port – we then have the twin ports of Treboul and Douarnenez ahead, which are always popular with yachtsmen. If we want to venture further we must first pass through The Ras de Sein, which is always a good navigational exercise, and then we come to charming port of . Carrying on south there are the famous ports of Loctudy, Benodet & Concarneau, all within 12 hours sailing of Camaret.

The Breton Islands

Ile de Ouessant (25 m from Camaret)

Only 25 miles from Camaret is the Island of Ushant. This island is always worth visiting if the weather will allow but being stuck out in the Atlantic with no shelter and very strong tides it is not always possible. Ushant is a harsh and windswept, well dotted with houses but is practically treeless. There are some dramatic coastal views. Bicycles can be hired, which are the best form of transport around the lanes. The island is a fascinating repository of a way of life that is fast disappearing in Brittany. The 1062 inhabitants now turn to tourism rather than traditional livelihoods like seafaring and farming.

Ile de Molene (20m from Camaret)

Is situated between Ile de Ouessant and the Brittany coast amongst a mass of rocks, but on a large scale chart it shows that a safe approach can be made, preferably at neap tides. The tiny island, with its small population, and has a character all of its own and is less rigorous than Ouessant. In the spring there seems to be a large population of cuckoos!

Ile de Sein (20 m from Camaret)

This charming little island is situated 8 kms off the notorious Point De Raz. If the tides are used to advantage the approach to the little harbour is not too difficult. The village has a considerable population; the houses are clustered together in a small area providing shelter from the winds in narrow alleyways. The island has had a varied history from one of the last refuges of the Druids to the home of the wreckers in the days of sail.

South of Ras De Sein

We often pass through the notorious Ras De Sien, which if the passage is planned carefully (to be there at slack water); normally presents few problems.

Iles de Glenan (55 m from Camaret)

This delightful island group consists of some nine islets ranged around a lagoon of calm blue water and golden sand, called La Chambre. There is one small shop and one restaurant. It is famous for the bird life of terns, cormorants and the like.

Ile de Groix (75 m from Camaret)

The main port is Port Tudy which used to be the centre of the tunny fishing in sailing ship days. Nowadays, it is a busy yachting harbour surrounded by peaceful countryside and has some lovely bathing beaches and coves.

Belle-Ile (99 m from Camaret)

Is the largest island and over 17kms long. It has a small bustling port with hotels, shops, cafes, and restaurants

all overlooked by a mighty star shaped fort. It is a very popular island and is mainly a holiday resort these days, though there is still a small fishing fleet left over from the days when it was a principal sardine-fishing port.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

French address:
Richard & Sue Curtis, L’Ancrage, Kergalet, 29160 Lanveoc, Finistere, France.
U.K. Address:
Brittany Sailing, 12 Victoria Park, St Mathew’s Hill, Wadebridge, Cornwall, U.K
.
French Tel No. 0033 (0)298170131
Email: [email protected]
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