Harbour

Port Launais

2.7Port-Launay, FranceNorth Finistère and Iroise

Maximum length: 65 ft
Maximum draught: 8 ft

River quay of about 6 berths on the tidal Aulne at Port-Launay, Finistère, Brittany.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Access from the Rade de Brest via the Aulne maritime. The Guily-Glaz lock at Port-Launay marks the limit of the tide and works around high water. From April to October no notice is needed: arrive between 08:00 and 20:00, within 2h either side of Brest high water. From October to April book lockage 48h ahead on 06 11 41 90 74, worked 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday within 2h of high water. Maximum draught 2.60 m at the quay. The channel below the lock dries partly at low water of springs. Above the lock the river becomes the Nantes-Brest canal.

Practical

Quay along the right bank with water. Showers, a washing machine and electricity run on tokens issued at the bistro on Place de l'Eglise. Free parking for up to 30 days. Bakery and bar-tabac in the village. Nearest supermarket in Chateaulin at 3 km upstream, where boats can also lie above the lock.

Ashore

Chapelle Notre-Dame de Rumengol at 200 m on the quay, a pilgrimage site with a procession on the Sunday after 15 August. Towpath along the canal towards Châteaulin, reached on foot or by bike in 3 km. Ménez-Hom summit at 15 km by road, 330 m high, with a view over the Rade de Brest.

History

Port-Launay was a trading quay for slate, wine and grain from the 18th century, serving the upper Aulne valley before the railway reached Châteaulin in 1867.