- Maximum length
- 164 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Maximum draught
- 9 ft
Tidal harbour on the north coast of Brittany, in Côtes-d'Armor, at the head of the Bay of Paimpol, sheltered by the Île de Bréhat archipelago.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Approach through a rock-strewn bay marked by the Roches de Saint-Riom and the Men Marc'h beacon. The buoyed channel to the lock is narrow and dries fully at low water; follow the green marks closely, as the red ones can shift, and arrive near high water. The lock runs free-flow for up to about 45 minutes around HW, otherwise boats lock through from roughly HW minus 2.5 h to HW plus 1.5 h. VHF 9 is not always answered. Max draught 3 m in the wet dock, shallow at neaps.
Practical
350 berths in the wet dock, across two basins: Basin 2 is entered first, Basin 1 is kept for boats near 11 m, with the reception pontoon to starboard. Water and electricity at the pontoons. Fuel berth in the outer harbour sells diesel only; petrol is in town about 1 km away with cans. Sanitary block with showers and a laundry, around 4 euros a wash and 4 euros a dry with tokens from the office. Boatyard with travel lift on site. All shops, bakeries and restaurants around the basin within 200 m.
Ashore
Place du Martray and the old town with granite houses of 18th and 19th century shipowners, 200 m from the quay. Musée du costume and Musée de la mer on the history of the Iceland cod fishery, 300 m. GR 34 coastal path runs from the harbour. Abbaye de Beauport, 13th century, at 2 km south along the coast.
History
From the 1850s to 1935 Paimpol was the main French port for the Iceland cod fishery, sending up to 80 schooners a year to the Icelandic banks. Pierre Loti set his 1886 novel Pêcheur d'Islande in the town, and the fishery is remembered each August at the Fête des Terre-Neuvas and Islandais.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour
- Coordinates
- 48.78156, -3.04373 (48°46.89'N 3°2.62'W)
- Town
- Paimpol
- Country
- France
- Maximum draught
- 9 ft
- Maximum length
- 164 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Phone
- +33 2 96 20 47 65
- Boaters' rating
- 3.9/5
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Getting there
Paimpol lies at 48°46.89'N 3°2.62'W, that is 48.78156, -3.04373 in decimal degrees. Call the harbour on VHF channel 9 before entering.
Boaters' reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience of Paimpol.
Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
What boat length does Paimpol accept?
Paimpol accepts boats up to 164 ft.
Which VHF channel for Paimpol?
Paimpol answers on VHF channel 9.
How do boaters rate Paimpol?
Paimpol is rated 3.9/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
Explore the region
Nearby cities
The free boat navigation app
Official nautical charts, marine weather, GPS and 50,000+ marinas and anchorages with reviews. All in one app, ready to sail.
