Sailing expedition: Rouen (Le Havre) – Brest aboard THALASSA

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Sailing expedition: Rouen (Le Havre) - Brest aboard THALASSA

PROGRAMME:

(subject to change, dependent on wind and weather)

From 27 June, THALASSA sets sail from Le Havre. In twelve days we sail westward with Brest Nautique '27 as our destination. Along the way we take time to wander, to explore and to set course anew.

This stretch of Atlantic coast cannot be conquered. The prevailing westerly winds make this voyage more than a straight line to the destination – it becomes a sailing dialogue between wind and tide.

Brest as the endpoint is fixed, yet the route there leaves room for intermediate stops. We sail with the wind and take account of the strong tidal streams of the English Channel. Sometimes that means swift progress, sometimes deliberate evasion.

On this voyage the sailing itself takes centre stage. The destination sets the direction, yet the journey is equally important. Let yourself be carried by the wind of the day and come aboard this expedition.

An overview of the itinerary

From Le Havre several sailing routes open up. The English Channel here is wide and lively with powerful tidal streams that determine the course and winds that require patience and good timing. Cherbourg soon presents itself as a logical first port of call: a sheltered place after the first sea passage and a natural hub of routes.

From there the sailing area opens. In northerly winds it can be appealing to sail southwards along the French coast, over the Channel Islands — Alderney or Guernsey — towards Saint-Malo and then westwards along the north coast of Brittany.

An alternative route leads to the south coast of England with possible calls at the Isle of Wight, Poole, Dartmouth, Salcombe Bay or Looe. This coast is characterised by a varied mix of sheltered harbours and open bays, set in a landscape that lends itself beautifully to exploration from the sea. We sail westwards in the shelter of the English coast and choose the right moment for the southerly crossing to Brittany.

If Brest is reached early, an additional chapter may unfold. We round the western tip of Brittany and set course along the south coast where a different face awaits: gentler contours, islands and inland waters. The Îles de Glénan archipelago with its clear water and shallow sandbanks forms a striking contrast to the rugged Atlantic coast. Nearby lies Concarneau, a walled harbour town where fishing, history and the rhythm of the tides come together. From here we finally return to the Bay of Brest where the voyage ends and we take part in Brest Nautique 2027 – a maritime festival celebrating the region's rich sailing tradition.

As always: the plan is not set in stone. The journey unfolds along the way.

Possible sailing areas and ports of call

Cherbourg and the English Channel

Cherbourg is a spacious and safe harbour, a logical hub between the English Channel and the Atlantic coast. It is ideal as a first port of call after the crossing and allows the onward course to be set according to wind and tide.

Channel Islands – Alderney, Guernsey

In favourable conditions, the Channel Islands make a varied intermediate destination: compact, yet characterised by strong tidal streams and sheltered anchorages. Islands where British and French influences converge. On Alderney, rugged cliff paths and historic Victorian fortifications invite exploration ashore.

North Brittany – Saint-Malo and westwards

The north coast of Brittany is powerful and rhythmic, with rocky headlands, tidal harbours and towns that have stood in dialogue with the sea for centuries. Saint-Malo rises like a fortress from the water, whilst smaller harbours and bays also invite a stopover.

English south coast – Isle of Wight to Cornwall

The south coast of England offers an alternative sailing area with plenty of shelter. Poole lies far inland behind a narrow entrance, Dartmouth and Salcombe are surrounded by green hills and estuaries. Looe, small and lively, feels like a village clinging to the sea. Here we follow the coast westwards and await the right moment for the crossing to Brittany.

South Brittany – south of Brest

When conditions allow, we explore the southern Breton waters beyond Brest. The route may pass the Îles de Glénan — a shallow archipelago with clear water and sandbanks — and continue to Concarneau, a historic harbour town with a sheltered approach and walled old town. This area offers calmer waters and a different rhythm before we return to Brest and reach the festival.

Note: All our voyages are dependent on wind and weather. Departure and destination remain the same, but the exact route and schedule may change according to conditions – that is precisely what makes each adventure unique.