Anchorage

La Grande Grève

Shelter: S, SW, W, NW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand anchorage on the east side of the Cotentin peninsula, 0.3 nm north of Barfleur harbour and 5.3 nm from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the E, clear of the Raz de Barfleur and its streams of up to 5 knots at springs, and take the marked channel to enter and leave at low water. Holding is on sand, though weed can foul a propeller. Room is tight and the buoys carry long floating lines, so keep clear of the sailing school water off the campsite. Sheltered from S through W to NW; it rolls in a NW wind over coefficient 75 as the sea wraps the Pointe de Gatteville, and with any NE swell.

Practical

Forain anchorage, no services. Barfleur fishing harbour lies 0.3 nm S with shops and water; its market is on Tuesdays and a supermarket and fuel station sit at the far end of the village. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue marina is 5.3 nm S for full berthing and fuel.

Ashore

Barfleur village at 0.3 nm, classed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France, with granite houses and the church of Saint-Nicolas. Gatteville lighthouse, one of the tallest in France at 75 m, stands 2 km NE on the Pointe de Barfleur and is climbed by a stairway of 350 steps.