Trébeurden
Sheltered harbour on the Côte de Granit Rose, at the foot of the granite boulders and the Île Milliau.
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Coastal pilot guide
Ports of call on the Breton and Atlantic coast — the school's knowledge base: harbours, islands, anchorages and navigation themes, from the Channel to the Vendée. For each port of call, the essentials for planning a passage — approach, shelter, services and what there is to see ashore.
27 ports of call & themes
From Trébeurden to Les Sables-d'Olonne
“Ports of call” is the first of the two parts of the school's knowledge base — the where of sailing. The second, Sailing know-how, covers the how: sail trim, theory, glossary.
The ports of call are grouped by cruising area, from north to south. The guides for the heart of our cruising ground — South Brittany, Cornouaille and the Mer d'Iroise — are written and available; the other pages are being written and are marked as such.
The knowledge base, in two parts
Ports of call (you are here) — harbours, islands, anchorages and themes of the coast. Sailing know-how — sail trim, points of sail, right-of-way rules, glossary of nautical terms, knots and theory. Go to Sailing know-how →
The Channel / North Brittany
4 ports of call
Lézardrieux
River stop up the Trieux, sheltered from the open sea, downstream of the Château de la Roche-Jagu.
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Roscoff
Deep-water harbour at Bloscon, old corsair town and gateway to the Île de Batz.
Jersey
The largest of the Channel Islands, with some of the biggest tidal ranges in Europe.
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Finistère / Mer d'Iroise
9 ports of call
Aber Wrac'h
Iconic anchorage of the Abers country, the last stop before the Chenal du Four.
Aber Ildut
Small granite aber facing Ushant, a staging point for the passage of the Chenal du Four.
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Aber Benoît
The wildest of the three abers, with quiet anchorages further up the river.
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Ushant (Ouessant)
The end of the world, its lighthouses and the Fromveur. A demanding stop, to be timed with the tidal streams.
Brest
The Rade de Brest, one of the finest natural harbours in the world: the school's summer base at Moulin Blanc.
Camaret-sur-Mer
Gateway to the Mer d'Iroise: Vauban tower, boat graveyard, deep-water harbour.
Morgat
Sheltered beach and sea caves of the Crozon peninsula, in the Bay of Douarnenez.
Douarnenez
Harbour museum and heritage boats, at the head of a bay famous for its sardines.
Île de Sein
Low-lying island barely above the water beyond the Raz, with a tricky approach between tidal streams and shoals.
Cornouaille / South Finistère
3 ports of call
Bénodet
Mouth of the Odet, one of the most beautiful rivers in Brittany, navigable up to Quimper.
Concarneau
The fortified Ville Close and a major fishing port, a lively stop in Cornouaille.
Glénan Islands
Archipelago and turquoise lagoon, the anchorage of La Chambre: a benchmark open anchorage.
Morbihan / South Brittany
5 ports of call
Lorient
Home port of the school (Port-Louis), hub of offshore racing and home of the Cité de la Voile.
Belle-Île-en-Mer
The largest Breton island: Le Palais, Sauzon, the needles of Port-Coton.
Vannes
Harbour in the heart of the walled town, at the head of the Gulf of Morbihan and its tidal streams.
Loire-Atlantique / Vendée
2 ports of call
Pornic
Old harbour and castle south of the Loire, where the Côte de Jade begins.
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Les Sables-d'Olonne
Home of the Vendée Globe, a wide open bay and a busy channel leading into town.
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Themes
4 topics
Lighthouses of the Mer d'Iroise
La Jument, Kéréon, Créac'h, Nividic: the legendary lights that mark the end of the world.
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Headlands & capes
Raz de Sein, Pointe du Raz, Pointe de Pen-Hir: rounding a headland, reading the tidal stream and the sea.
Page in preparation
Galley cooking
Provisioning and crew cooking: harbour markets, seafood, meals on board.
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The boats
The school's fleet of cruiser-racers, from 38 to 42 feet: Orion, Perseus, Taranta…
The companion part: Sailing know-how
Once you have found the where, prepare the how in Sailing know-how: sail trim, points of sail, right-of-way rules, sailing glossary and navigation theory. Go to Sailing know-how →
Tempted by one of these ports of call?
Our cruising courses call at most of these places. Tell us your level and your possible dates — we will suggest the right itinerary.
See dates & prices