France

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Revision as of 04:11, 3 September 2013

France Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for sailing the coasts of France.

France
Country
Flag
Capital:	Paris 48°51.4′N, 2°21.05′E
Language:	French (ButOfCourse!)
Currency:	Euro (EUR)
Timezone:	UTC+1 (DST observed)
More notes about the country
Latest News
Content - news items, etc.

Overview

France offers some of the most varied and challenging cruising to be found in Northern Europe. Together with the country's Mediterranean coast and offshore islands, it boasts such a variety of sailing experiences that it is hardly surprising that France produces some of the world's most renowned yachtsmen as well as hosting several of the world's biggest manufacturers of yachts. Perhaps it's a natural consequence then that France endears itself as one of the most receptive countries for leisure yachtsmen, with marina developments in most of its coastal areas, usually with dedicated spaces allocated for visitors. Coupled with the country's legendary reputation for gastronomy, it is thus a magnet for yachtsmen from all over northern Europe and its harbours and marinas can be full to bursting point during high season, which is most areas coincides with the main French holiday season, from mid-July up to the end of August.

Cruising the region

Cruising in France can be roughly divided into six areas, each with its own character, cuisine and navigational challenges. Starting at the Belgian border, the coast from Dunkerque to Cherbourg becomes increasingly low-lying and takes in the famous Normandy beaches of Operation Overlord fame. The main harbours of Calais, Boulogne, Dieppe, Le Havre, Fecamp and Cherbourg are accessible at any state of tide, but most of the smaller harbours require careful planning to lock in and out around high water. Moving west, between Cherbourg and Brest is some of the most challenging cruising in France, with tidal ranges of up to 13 meters and correspondingly swift tidal currents. For the careful yachtsman, however, the tidal ports of Granville, St Malo, Paimpol, Roscoff and the Brittany river ports of Treguier, Lezardrieux and l'Abervrach provide a unique taste of Brittany which is denied to most land travellers. The Atlantic coast from Brest down to Royan has less fierce tides, except for the infamous races through the Chenal de Four and round the Pointe du Raz. The jewels of this cruising area are the beautiful Atlantic islands of Ile de Groix, Belle Ile, Ile d'Yeu, Ile de Ré and Ile d'Oléron, where, apart from a few hectic weeks from mid-July to end August, life goes on at a tranquil pace and nature is everywhere. The coast from Royan down to the Spanish border is mostly flat and featureless, with the exception of the shallow bay of Arcachon, and most yachtsmen make straight for the French Basque ports of St Jean de Luz and Hendaye.

Continuing anti-clockwise, cruising in France resumes at the border with Mediterranean Spain and extends from the small harbour of Banyuls up to the Italian border at Menton. This very popular and busy cruising area includes the world-renowned, low-lying marshland area of La Camargue around Saintes Maries de la Mer, the cobalt blue sea inlets of Les Calanques around Marseille, the idyllic offshore Iles d'Hyères and the fleshpots of the Riviera Coast such as St Tropez, Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Finally, some of the most interesting sailing, landscape, history and culture is to be encountered around the French island of Corsica, where harbours such as Calvi, Ajaccio, Bonifacio and Bastia have a character and personality all of their own.

In many coastal areas of France (especially in Brittany and only really excluding, inevitably, the major ports) the visiting yachtsman will experience some of the most welcoming and 'sympathique' people to be found anywhere in Europe. However, as a nation which attaches a lot of importance to courtesy, the French like to see it reciprocated and the smiles will rapidly fade if it is not. Visitors who take the trouble to learn at least a few phrases in French and utter them at every opportunity (no matter how mangled) will always receive a warmer welcome than those who mouth slowly in English (or German) at ever-increasing volume.

Climate & Weather

Submit the climate details

• WEATHER LINK

• WEATHER Cyclones LINK

• NZ SEARCH and RESCUE LINK

• The Worldwide Marine Directory Data Resource Links Site

Local forecasts are, of course, in French, but non-French speakers should find them relatively easy to understand. A very useful vocabulary can be found at How to Understand French Weather Forecasts for Sailors

Navigation Charts

Source

Chart

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

EU Vessels & EU Nationals
For European Union members, EU regulations apply. Vessels arriving from another EU country do not need to clear customs, they must however report to Immigration. Vessels registered in countries falling under the Schengen Agreement, (i.e. vessels from Spain or Italy) do not need to clear immigration.

Non-EU Vessels (incl. EU vessels with non-EU nationals aboard)
The skipper must report to customs at a port of entry with the ship's registration papers and passports and sometimes the customs officials will visit the boat on arrival. The Customs officials may also sometimes inspect yachts that are up to 12 miles from the coast. The port captain must be contacted immediately on arrival in a marina or port, and he will usually notify Customs. If not, the skipper must phone Customs.

Immigration

Nationals of the European Union, Argentina, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Iceland, Israel, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Uruguay and the United States do not require visas for a stay of up to three months. All other nationalities require visas which must be obtained in advance. See Official Site for full details of visa requirements and how to apply.

Customs

• Firearms MUST be declared.
• PETS - France will accept animals which arrive under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) Cats and dogs must have an anti-rabies vaccination certificate (dated at least 30 days in advance and within 12 months of date of entry). A Health Certificate from a veterinarian (dated within 5 days of travel to France), is required. Other animals must be inspected by the health official on arrival. A maximum of three dogs and/or cats may be brought in on the vessel.

Formalities

Vessels remaining in France
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. Non-EU boats are allowed to remain inside France for up to 6 months during any 12-month period. Vessels wanting to stay longer must lodge the ship's papers with the local Customs office, who will place the vessel under a "bond". The clock will then be stopped until the owner returns on board. During the period that the vessel is in "bond", the vessel must NOT be moved from its berth, and NO-ONE is allowed to sleep aboard.

Vessels that are borrowed, chartered or owned by companies can arrive in France under a temporary importation permit. The SAME PERSON that brought the vessel into France MUST remain in charge and take it out of the country again. If arriving on a "borrowed" vessel, you must have written permission for the use of the vessel from the owner and that the vessel can enter French waters.

Crew changes are allowed while in France if the "entry" skipper remains on board. The only changes of owner or captain allowed are on privately owned vessels, where the person in charge may hand over control to a member of the immediate family (spouse or children), who must not be resident in France. A vessel's co-owner may hand over to another co-owner, who is listed as such on the official ship's documents. Delivery crews may bring in a vessel into France for the owner to take over, or sail a yacht out of France on behalf of an owner, provided that a proper delivery agreement is documented. The yacht being delivered is not allowed to stop anywhere else in France except at French ports of entry/exit, unless the vessel is forced to stop elsewhere due to adverse weather conditions or other unforseen circumstances.

Yachts may not be "lent", "hired" or sold while in French waters, while under the above temporary importation permit.

Only bareboat charters are permitted in French waters and if the yacht is foreign owned, proper formalities and registrations must be completed.

Taking on paying "crew" is not permitted in France - this is considered to be chartering. If a vessel is carrying paying passengers, this must be declared to Customs on arrival in France, the yacht imported and TVA (Value Added Tax) must be paid.

Documents
Vessels must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. At least one member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required.

Health & Security

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

Cruiser's Popular Ports and Stops in France

Offshore Islands

• English Channel
  • Chausey Islands

• Atlantic Coast
  • Belle Ile
  • Ile de Groix
  • Ile de Re
  • Ile d'Oleron
  • Ile d'Yeu

• Mediterranean
  • Corsica
  • Iles d'Hyeres

Overseas Departments

• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
• French Guiana
• Reunion
• Mayotte
• St Martin

Overseas Territories and Islands

• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie)
• Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (Saint Pierre et Miquelon)
• Wallis and Futuna

• French Southern and Antarctic territories (Terres Antarctiques et Australes Françaises, or TAAF), consisting of Terre Adélie in Antarctica and some islands in the Indian Ocean
• Scattered Islands of the Indian Ocean (Iles Eparses):
  • Kerguelen Islands
  • Europa Island
  • Bassas da India
  • Juan de Nova Island
  • Glorieuses Islands
  • Clipperton Island

Coastal Passages

• Coastal passages - Channel/Atlantic coast and Bay of Biscay
• Coastal Passages - Mediterranean coast

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

Books & Guides etc.

Atlantic

• Jeremy Parkinson, RCC Pilotage Foundation, Atlantic France (North Biscay to the Spanish border), Imray Laurie and Wilson, ISBN 978184623 280 0, Last Update 2010
• Tom Cunliffe, The Shell Channel Pilot (South coast of England, the North coast of France and the Channel Isla), Imray Laurie and Wilson, ISBN 9781846231841, Printed and eBook versions, Last Update 2009
• John Lawson, RCC Pilotage Foundation, North Brittany, Imray Laurie and Wilson, ISBN 978 164623 069 1 ,Last Update 2008

Mediterranean

• Rod Heikell, Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot, Imray, ISBN 9780852889695, Last Update 2008
• John Marchment, RCC Pilotage Foundation, Corsica & North Sardinia (including La Maddalena Archipelago), Imray, ISBN 9780852889145, Last Update 2007

Inland Waterways

• "Through the French Canals" by David Jefferson (Adlard Coles Nautical, 2006 11th Ed)
• Cruising the Inland Waterways of France and Belgium Roger Edgar & Iain Stitt (Cruising Association), Last Update 2009

Websites that List Available Guides & Books

• RCC Pilotage Foundation, Passage Planning Map based index to RCC Crusing Guide Books & Passage Planning Guides.
• Imray produce many Cruising Guides for Many areas of the world, [1]
• Conference of Yacht Cruising Clubs (UK), Sailing Directions published by CYCC members has many guides for the UK and a few that cover over areas of Europe.
• Ocean Cruising Club, Cruising Areas This website contains information for a large number of cruing areas including brief information about each area and a list of guide books as well as a Google map of the locations in the reports.
• Cruising Association, Publications Books and Cruising Guides.
• Adlard Coles Nautical Publisher, Cruising & Chartering Produce a number of Cruising Guides and Passage Planning Books as well as many other nautical books.
• Bookharbour.com (Kelvin Hughes Limited) On Line Book Shop Has many Pilot books covering many areas of the world.

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• France Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

• Kathy Parsons, French for Cruisers (French language instructional book), Aventuras Publishing Company, ISBN 0-9675905-1-5

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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