Publication date: 05/19/2025
Berths in Brittany
Let us set aside, in this article, the options of mooring or beaching in sheltered bays. Let’s focus on Breton port infrastructures offering dedicated spaces, and even services, to recreational boaters in the region. What options are available to moor motorboats and sailing boats in Brittany?
A highly varied port offering in Brittany
Geographically, Breton ports are spread across the entire coastline: to the North, West, and South – in Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d’Armor, Finistère, and Morbihan. These welcoming places offer boaters direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Iroise Sea, and the English Channel, as well as to several rivers: the Vilaine, the Odet, or, for example, the Rance.
In total, more than 120 marinas are scattered along the entire Breton coastline. The service offering, however, is not uniform across the coast: not all marinas are suited to all types of boating activity.
Finding a suitable marina berth
Given the diversity of ports, it is important to choose a location that meets your needs and sailing plans:
A berth in a major Breton port
Some Breton ports are iconic, very busy, and well-known. Such is the case with the ports of Brest, Crouesty – in Arzon, Vannes, La Trinité-sur-Mer, or, for instance, Concarneau. The ports in Lorient, too, are major facilities, capable of hosting hundreds of boats. Port life there is vibrant, services are well-developed… and the demand for berths can be very high!
A berth in a small Breton port
Other ports offer more picturesque berths, in charming environments. These are smaller, more intimate locations, such as the little port of Sauzon – on Belle-Île-en-Mer, or the port of Saint-Goustan – in Auray. These are ideal options for sailors seeking peace and quiet… except during the height of the tourist season!
Bear in mind as well that access to specific services can be more limited there.
A marina berth for a more technical use
Lastly, for those looking for a Breton berth for offshore racing or regattas, there are still specialised ports. The port of Saint-Malo, Port-la-Forêt, or Lorient La Base, in particular, are highly suitable: with their infrastructure and equipment, they welcome the most specialised sailing vessels in excellent conditions.
Even those with very deep draughts!
Facilities and services in Breton marinas
The variety of Breton marina infrastructures caters to the full range of navigators’ needs, regardless of the characteristics of their boats. But, when choosing a marina, the on-site services provided are also key.
Among the services linked to a good marina berth in Brittany, one can find:
- The welcome and availability of marina staff
- The security and surveillance of the site
- Facilities useful for port life – Toilets, wifi, parking, shops, waste collection…
- Available technical equipment and assistance – areas for careening and cleaning, handling equipment, nautical service providers, and specialist shops on-site…
The matter of pricing
As is the case across France and Europe, the price of a marina berth in Brittany varies. From one port to another, the cost can double for the same type of berth. Generally, the price charged for a berth afloat depends on the boat’s dimensions, the time of year, the desired length of stay, as well as the amenities and services available on-site.
We recommend visiting the websites of the various ports to find out about pricing. While there may be exceptions, overall, tourist marinas in Southern Brittany tend to be more expensive than those on the Northern coast.
Finding a marina berth in Brittany: the reality
If you have ever searched for a berth afloat in Brittany, for your motorboat or sailing boat, you’ll know the task can be very difficult. The cause: very high demand from boaters and limited availability.
An often very complex undertaking
The Brittany region is renowned for sailing and rightly attracts many boaters. Not just in peak season…
Despite the richness of the Breton marina offering, demand for berths continues to grow. Generally speaking, marinas find themselves full. Some ports no longer offer annual contracts, but instead seasonal rental packages. For the boat-owning sailor, finding a berth can be very complicated. This is the case even for those who know the area well!
Generally speaking, the availability of marina berths in Brittany depends on the geographic area and the model of boat to be moored: it may be easier to find a berth for a smaller or larger-than-average boat in a less busy area.
An alternative: dry stack marinas in Brittany
Good news for boaters looking for a berth in Brittany: in some ports, there are still places available!
More and more Breton ports are offering dry storage spaces, allowing boats to be stored out of the water. On specially prepared hardstanding areas or boat shelves, on cradles or racks, boats are handled and stored securely. Boats are launched and retrieved before and after each outing, and maintenance and repair operations are carried out comfortably on land.
In port areas across Brittany, dry stack berths are often still readily available. They are proving to be an effective alternative to traditional afloat berths in Brittany: offering many added benefits, without introducing new constraints.
Choosing a Breton dry storage space at Port Adhoc Paimpol
In Brittany, our port in Paimpol offers attractive storage solutions: motorboat owners benefit from dry storage on racks and in a secure area, along with high-quality equipment and services.
Available berths in Brittany
On the Northern coast of Brittany, just a stone’s throw from the Île de Bréhat and the Sept-Îles, Port Adhoc Paimpol welcomes motorboat owners for short, medium, or long stays. The team is welcoming, the marina is secure and human-scale, and, above all, it is very well equipped: handling equipment and technical infrastructure allow for cleaning, maintenance, repairs, and winter storage to be carried out in the best possible conditions.
Your questions about berths in Brittany
Is it easy to find a berth in Brittany?
While some highly sought-after Breton ports are fully booked several years in advance, there are still ports, often lesser-known, that continue to have availability.
How can I reserve a marina berth in Morbihan, Finistère, Ille-et-Vilaine, or Côtes-d’Armor?
In Brittany as elsewhere, berth reservations are most often made through marina staff – for example, at the port’s harbour office. You will be asked to complete an application form and may be placed on a waiting list. Do your research: each Breton port has its own allocation rules.
Tides and ports in Brittany: what should one be aware of?
In Brittany, many ports are subject to the rhythm of the tides. Some are only accessible at high tide, or within a window of a few hours around the flood. The layout of certain ports requires users to be cautious: checking tide times and knowing the characteristics of the access channel, for example, is essential.
Which Breton ports are the most accessible from the rest of France?
If you live outside the Brittany region, choosing a berth you can easily reach from your home is important. Some towns like Lorient, Brest, Saint-Malo, or Quimper have TGV stations, making travel much easier. Our port at Paimpol is located just 1.5 kilometres from the SNCF station.
What’s the best time of year to request a berth in Brittany?
January, March, or September… Autumn, winter, spring, or summer… There is no perfect time to apply for a berth in Brittany. Whether for an annual mooring or just a few months, we always recommend reserving your berth as early as possible. Sometimes, you need to apply several months – even several years – in advance before actually securing a spot!
