Quote:
Originally Posted by BumbleAbout
We are toying with an idea to tow the boat (hopefully a 6m RIB by then) via the Plymouth/Caen ferry to somewhere on the Arcachon Basin next summer and then have a couple of weeks in warmer waters than the English channel.
Has anyone been there who could offer any recommendations on:
- avoid Caen and use Le Havre ?
- where to stay with a RIB (which isn't vastly expensive) - we were thinking that we might be able to rent a house between two families near a beach
- what levels of paperwork the French will demand to launch & wander around
- if we should just stay away because most of Paris will be there all summer
- if I will be able to anchor 100m off a beach overnight without issues (either from the authorities or joyriders)
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I can't particularly help with the sailing around those waters but you might like to consider the following:
1. Check to where any Plymouth ferries go: I don't think they go to Caen.
2. Portsmouth ferries go to Caen but also go to St Malo: further South and a better night's sleep.
3. Check your insurance: mine only goes to La Rochelle which is a little way further North.
4. Arcachon is good for sand dunes (largest in Europe), pine forests, access to wine growing and brandy making areas and Pineau des Charantes and is extensive enough to absorb all the Parisians that go there but is a somewhat boring coastline: as said above the cruising is better further North (Vendee and Brittany) although the Biscay weather still hits when it has a mind.
David
