French sailors keep many world records. Most of them leave Brittany in autumn in order to break new records on around the world. In their homeland, they are respected and celebrated with great pomp. Large weekly regattas are characterized like public festivals. The French love the sea, rivers, and lakes - they use them in many ways. While there are many sailing boats and motorboats on the coast, boat cruises on large, navigable rivers are becoming more and more popular.
Sailing in France reflects the diversity of one of the largest countries in Western Europe, whose history is closely related to long coastal lines. Anyone who would like to circumnavigate the country piece by piece should start a cruise in the North, between Dunkirk and Brest. Well shielded, with regular, but uncommonly violent winds, the English Channel is a calm but not very popular region in the summer months.
A little further west, one of the most attractive places for sailing are the ports of Saint Malo and Cherbourg. From here, you can discover the English Channel Islands and the Chausey archipelago.
However, it should be taken into account when planning a trip that northern Brittany is one of the most demanding areas due to its extreme tides and violent storms. The Atlantic coast - popular not only because of the endless beaches, you can visit such famous places as La Rochelle, Arcachon, Biarritz, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
There are many exciting things in the French Mediterranean, not just the Mediterranean climate. Camargue captivates centuries-old towns, black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos. Here, at the foot of Provence, the smell of lavender spreads. Freshly squeezed olive oil, fresh flakes of sea salt.
The maritime area adjacent to the east of the commercial metropolis of Marseille to the elegant Cassis impresses with the exceptional Calanques: deep fjord-like rock trenches offer here safe, romantic berths.
The most famous resorts in Côte d'Azur are Saint Tropez, Antibes, Cannes and Nice. This region is attractive due to uncrowded beaches, bays and great restaurants, which can be reached by boat. From there it is best to get a boat to Corsica - a nautical area of exceptional character.
