Western Mediterranean and Atlantic
France is three different charters: the Côte d'Azur and Corsica in the Mediterranean, Brittany and the Atlantic islands with their tides, and the canals of the Midi and Burgundy on licence-free houseboats. The fleet is large, the styles do not overlap, so choose the coast before the boat.
Where to sail
Sailing area
Port de Bormes-les-Mimosas (La Favière) is the charter base of the western Côte d'Azur: Porquerolles and Port-Cros are 8 to 12 NM away, Saint-Tropez 20 NM, and the anchorages of the Îles d'Or give the French week that comes closest to Corsica without the crossing; the Mistral is the one thing to respect.
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Sailing area
Port du Crouesty in Arzon is the French Atlantic base: the Gulf of Morbihan behind it, Houat, Hoëdic and Belle-Île 10 to 20 NM ahead, tides of 4 to 5 metres and currents that make this a sailor's week rather than a beach one; La Rochelle and the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix are the gentler Charente alternative to the south.
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Sailing area
The Canal du Midi is the easiest holiday afloat in France: no licence, 8 km/h, 240 km of plane-tree shade and locks between Toulouse and the Étang de Thau, with charter bases at Castelnaudary, Trèbes and Portiragnes; a week from either end takes in Carcassonne, the Minervois vineyards and the canal village of Le Somail.
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YACHT TYPES
Sailing yachts and catamarans on the Med; monohulls in Brittany; penichettes and houseboats on the canals, no licence required.
Three ways to charter in France
Côte d'Azur from Bormes-les-Mimosas
The Hyères islands are the reason to start here: Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant within 5 to 10 NM of Bormes, then Saint-Tropez, the Lérins islands off Cannes and the Esterel coast. A week is islands, gulf of Saint-Tropez and back; the Porquerolles buoys and the Port-Cros national park set the pace. Our Bormes page has the day-by-day plan.
Brittany and the Bay of Biscay from Arzon
Port du Crouesty opens onto the Gulf of Morbihan and, outside it, Houat, Hoëdic and Belle-Île; from La Rochelle the islands of Ré and Oléron. Tides of 4 to 5 m, strong currents at the gulf entrance and sea fog are part of the deal, and so are oysters and empty anchorages. For skippers with tidal experience only. See Brittany.
The Canal du Midi and the inland waterways
Castelnaudary to Béziers through the locks, or the Burgundy and Loire canals from Saint-Jean-de-Losne and Decize: no licence, 8 km/h, a crew briefing at the base and villages every evening. The largest part of the French fleet in our system is here. See Canal du Midi.
Practical points for a French charter
Licences
At sea, a national licence or the ICC is accepted for bareboat and the operator asks for a sailing CV for larger yachts; VHF certificate aboard. On the canals no licence is needed; the base gives a practical briefing and you leave the same afternoon.
Wind and sea
The Mistral, a dry northwesterly from the Rhône valley, can reach 30 to 50 knots for one to three days on the Provence coast; the forecast is reliable two days out and the base will hold you in port. Brittany is about tides and timing rather than wind. The canals are weather-proof.
Moorings, fees and rules
Mediterranean marinas are expensive in July and August and anchoring is regulated to protect the posidonia seagrass: buoys at Porquerolles and Port-Cros, no anchoring for larger yachts on the meadows. Brittany's harbours are cheaper and tidal; the canals have free town quays and paid marinas.
Getting there
Toulon-Hyères airport is 30 minutes from Bormes, Nice 1 hour 30 from the Var bases; Nantes and Lorient serve Brittany; Toulouse and Carcassonne serve the Canal du Midi. Provisioning is excellent everywhere.
Which French coast for a first sailing charter?
The Côte d'Azur from Bormes: short legs, islands with buoys, a Mistral forecast to respect. Brittany is for crews used to tides.
Do we need a licence for a canal boat?
No. The base briefs you on the boat and the locks, and the speed limit keeps everything gentle.
Can we sail to Corsica in a week?
From the Var it is 100 NM each way; two weeks or a Corsica base. Our operators have yachts in Ajaccio and Propriano.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Which coast, dates, guests and cabins, qualifications, skipper or not, and we shortlist three boats and say which one we would take.
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