France and Corsica

With both an Atlantic and a Mediterranean coastline, France has more variety to offer the cruising sailor than any other European country. From the tidal creeks and shallow estuaries of Brittany and the Bassin d'Aquitaine up to Bordeaux, from the natural landscapes of Camargue to the exclusive ports of the Côte d'Azur and Monaco. Finally the île de beauté, Corsica, is offering excellent cruising areas with lots of traditional villages, little bays and authentic experiences.
Many ports and marinas are full to capacity and during the summer season it can be extremely difficult to find space.

For the visiting sailor, each side of France has its special attractions. The Atlantic coast calls for more attentive navigation, but brings its rewards in the many natural harbours and inlets. Although spectacular, this coast can be dangerous as there are many hazards, strong tidal streams and frequent gales. This is more than made up for by such attractive ports as Morlaix, St Malo or Lézardrieux. The western coast divides into two main distinct areas, the most popular and picturesque being the Brittany coast, which has many navigable rivers and the Morbihan inland sea. The second area to the Gironde has several off lying islands as well as the great rivers, the Loire and the Gironde, which lead into the inland waterways.
Notwithstanding the excellent facilities offered by St Malo, Cherbourg, Brest and La Rochelle, there are only few crewed charter yachts on offer.
In some ways, the Mediterranean side of France is more suited to those who prefer to find their pleasures ashore. Sailing into such glittering places as St Tropez, Cannes or Antibes is an experience that cannot be repeated and it is worth the long detour just to spend some time among the most beautiful collection of yachts in the world. Excellent facilities are at Antibes, in the Golfe du Lion (St Tropez and Port Grimaud) , Toulon and Marseille.
Charter yachts, both sail and power, abound in this area.

For a good taste of Mediterranean France, the island of Corsica offers a large variety of landscapes and ports. Facilities are best at the main port of Ajaccio on the west coast and Bastia on the east coast. Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio are other popular boarding ports.

France prides itself on having the best cuisine in the world and the quality of food is excellent everywhere. Supplies are easily available and on the outskirts of every town there are huge hypermarkets, which have an immense selection of foodstuffs and other goods.

The climate differs significantly between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and so do sailing conditions. On the Atlantic side, the climate is temperate and the sailing season lasts from late spring to the autumn. Winds along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica are more variable, the strongest wind being the mistral, a northerly wind which occurs regularly and often reaches gale force.