Discover the rugged coast of Brittany with a yacht charter Lorient. Sail towards the south and enjoy the tidal waters of the Atlantic with views of large bays, fjord-like inlets and the forested hinterland. Discover the islands of Brittany and dive into the underwater world in the water sports paradise around the Glénan Islands. Towards the north, the sea becomes rougher and sailing here requires experience. Towards the south there is a calmer sailing area, which is also suitable for families. The Gulf of Morbihan offers a varied inland sea, easily accessible from the Atlantic, dotted with historic towns, cozy villages and beautiful beaches.
Climate:moderateä&aerobic;to subtropical with temperatures between 13 and 20 degrees
Winds: westerly winds, thermal winds
Sailing season: May to October
LorientYacht charter Lorient
A yacht charter Lorient brings you to the south of Brittany. One of the most beautiful sailing areas in Europe, but unfortunately not one of the sunniest and also not the easiest. The wind and weather conditions are good, but can also hold surprises, especially the tidal navigation should not be unknown to sailors here. The port of Lorient is sheltered in the mouth of the Blavet River, so you are protected from the swell of the Atlantic at your berth.
The name of the city is surprising, since it does not refer to the Celtic past of the coastal area, but to the Orient (L'Orient). At the time of the French East India Company in the 17th and 18th centuries, the home port of the trading colony was established here. Ships left Europe from here to return from India or China loaded with silk, gold or spices. The Musée de la Compagnie des Indes, housed in the Port-Louis Citadel across from the marina, provides information about the period of lively trade. During World War II, the city was almost completely destroyed and nothing architectural of the city's history remained.
However, the former glory of the port has been preserved to the extent that Lorient is still the second largest fishing port in France after Boulogne-sur-Mer. For every sailor visiting the city, a visit to the sailing museum "Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly" is virtually a must. The museum, dedicated to the outstanding ocean sailor and designer of regatta yachts, is especially dedicated to visiting families and successfully showcases sailing in all its facets. Since 1970, Lorient has been the venue of the "Festival Interceltique de Lorient" every year in August.
From the marina to the southwest, the community of Larmor-Plage adjoins Lorient. Here you will find four long beaches in a row, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Blavet estuary with a view of the offshore island Île de Groix. The small island already shows traces of settlements from the Neolithic period. Today, almost two-thirds of the island is protected and there are numerous hiking trails and mountain bike routes offering delightful opportunities to explore the island's nature. The west coast is characterized by impressive cliffs that drop steeply into the sea up to 40 meters. In the east, the island opens up again and again to the sea in small bays with sandy beaches.
South Brittany - the gentle coast of Brittany
With a yacht charter Lorient you are roughly in the middle of South Brittany. The section of Brittany where you can experience the beauty of the landscape from the sea even as a family or as a not so experienced sailor. Here it is quieter than in the northwest and there is time on board to take a deep breath and enjoy the sun, the wind and the sea.
Heading west-southwest from Lorient are the Îles de Glénan. 
The seven larger and many smaller islands of the archipelago offer Caribbean flair with their white beaches and crystal clear water. On the island of Saint-Nicolas, hiking trails are waiting to be explored by you. You might even catch a glimpse of the Glénan daffodil, which is found only here. The area around the islands is a popular diving spot. The diversity under water is rich in species and even up to 7 meter long basking sharks, pure plankton eaters, are native here. Sailors also appreciate the area. Depending on the tide you have to watch out for navigable channels between the islands, but shoals are usually well buoyed. The main island of Saint-Nicolas is home to the well-known Glénan sailing school, which is particularly committed to young sailors and offers sailing lessons for young people during leisure time.
Those who know the books of the authors Håkan Nesser and Jean-Luc Bannalec may rediscover places from the books. Especially the series "Breton Surf" of the latter has lost its heart to the Glénan Islands and Brittany.
Concarneau on the French mainland not far from the islands invites you to visit the so-called Ville Close. A completely enclosed land spur from the 15th/16th century. An impressive sight from the water as well as from land. A stroll through town here is a nice change from sea and beach. Enjoy a portion of oysters (Cancalaise), classic Breton fish soup (Cotriade) or a fresh pot of mussels (Moules Marinières) in one of the restaurants. Of course, a glass of cider, which can be found everywhere in Brittany, should not be missed.
From Lorient towards the southeast, after circling the Quiberon peninsula and the Phare de la Teignouse lighthouse, the Bay of Quiberon with the famous port of La Trinité-sur-Mer and the Gulf of Morbihan await you. Not only the name of the gulf reminds of the Mar Menor near San Javier in Spain. The access to this island-rich inland sea is best approached at high tide. It is located between Kerpenhir and Port-Navalo, where there is also a sheltered marina in Arzon. On the small islands in the gulf there are many pleasant beaches, and the island of Gavrinis is home to a megalithic monument 50 meters in diameter, one of the most important relics from the Neolithic period. Those interested in history will find Carna, just northwest of the Gulf of Morbihan, an impressive and historic site with more than 3000 menhirs.
The wild northwest of France
From Penmarch on the west coast of Brittany, sailing conditions become rougher, navigation more demanding and tidal currents are particularly pronounced here. Even in calm weather conditions, the sea around Pointe Penmarch is wild and boisterous. Here at the Pointe is the famous lighthouse Phare d'Eckmühl and the Prehistoric Museum. The small town of Guilvinec just a few kilometers from Penmarch is another major fishing port in Brittany. Visit the "HaliOtika", a large fishing museum, whose visit also includes admission to the daily large fish auction.
Further north, you'll encounter Pointe du Raz, which rivals Pointe Penmarch in its challenging sailing conditions. The name itself makes this clear, as Raz means "particularly strong sea current" in Breton. The Phare de la Vieille rises impressively on one of the small offshore islands, which together with the Phare de Tévennec shows the ships the way through the sea at the Pointe du Raz. Before reaching Brest, the port town of Camaret-sur-Mer, located on a headland of the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique, offers a pleasant and easily accessible, quieter port in the midst of a spectacular and highly rugged landscape. The area offers hiking routes along a variety of fauna and flora, through heaths and along sparsely vegetated rocky cliffs. In Brest, it is worth visiting the Océanopolis. An aquarium, which introduces on 9000m2 in 77 single basins impressively and informatively into the underwater world.
You like France, but you don't want to go to the west coast? Then start from Cherbourg or Dielette, easy to reach from Germany by train or by car, and sail in the English Channel. Granville is a destination not far from the Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey.
