Where can you sail in France?

France is an ideal country for sailing. With hundreds of kilometres of coastline and a sailing climate that lasts from May to September, there are plenty of places accessible by boat that will delight beginners and experienced sailors alike.

Nautical tourism is a very popular activity for French people and tourists alike. For water sports enthusiasts, there are also plenty of activities to do, such as scuba diving and surfing.

But in France, many sailors are first and foremost fans of sailing. With its many kilometres of coastline and hundreds of islands to visit, France offers a variety of landscapes and a wealth of places to go sailing.

Whether you prefer white sand, sandy beaches or breathtaking views of the Alps, France is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts. The country is renowned for its many sailing competitions, such as the Vendée Globe and the Solitaire du Figaro.

For thrill-seekers, you can sail the rough waters of the Atlantic coastline. Calmer yachtsmen will prefer the Mediterranean, which is reputed to be calmer, or the Alpine lakes, which are better suited to nautical tourism.

The ideal is to choose a destination according to your own wishes and tastes, so that you can sail while admiring the French countryside.

Of course, the best place to start is based on your personal preferences: are you more of a sports boater, a leisure boater or somewhere in between?

Where are the best places to go sailing on the Atlantic coast?

• The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, and the wider Normandy coastline, are magnificent places to enjoy a beautiful sail. The seascapes offer incredible views of the region’s flora and fauna and, accompanied by an experienced instructor, you can take part in manoeuvres in an area with the highest tides in Europe.
• Brittany is also a very popular region for sailing enthusiasts. It has numerous harbours and sailing clubs, not to mention a myriad of islands to discover.
• The island of Noirmoutier in the Pays de la Loire region is famous for its white sandy beaches and pleasant year-round climate. Further south, Oléron is a paradise island with magnificent shores and a rich marine fauna.
• With almost 300 kilometres of coastline from Soulac-sur-Mer to Hendaye, the south-west also offers many advantages for sailing.

Where can you sail a yacht on the Mediterranean?

For sailing enthusiasts, there are plenty of heavenly spots in France. On the French Riviera, the Bay of Saint-Tropez is one of the most famous sailing destinations in France, as are a number of famous marinas such as Saint-Tropez, Antibes and Cannes.

Near Marseille, there are some magnificent spots, such as the Cassis creeks or the Frioul islands near Marseille, which are perfect for sailing.

Last but not least, Corsica offers the chance to visit some of the most magnificent places on the planet (Cap Corse, Ile Rousse, Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, etc.).

Is it possible to sail on lakes in France?

Sailing can be practised at sea or on a lake, and there are several Alpine lakes that lend themselves very well to this activity.

• Lake Geneva is a 580.1 km² stretch of water on the border between France and Switzerland. It offers a splendid view of the Mont Blanc massif and has several marinas on both sides of the border (Evian, Thonon, Sciez and Yvoire on the French side; Geneva and Lausanne on the Swiss side).
• 30 kilometres to the south, Lake Annecy and its 26.5 km² of calm waters offer optimal sailing conditions. There are marinas in Annecy, Talloire, Doussard and Veyrier-du-Lac.
• Nearby is Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake at 44.5km². It is wilder to the west and north and more urban to the south, where most of the coastal towns (Aix-les-Bains, Viviers-du-Lac, Le Bourget-du-Lac) are located.
• Finally, there are some smaller but no less pleasant lakes where you can sail. These include the lakes of Serre-Ponçon, Monteynard, Paladru, Laffrey and Sainte-Croix, just outside the Gorges du Verdon.