Anchorage

Roscanvel

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

Anchorage on the west side of the Rade de Brest, along the Crozon peninsula facing the Goulet. Sand bottom.

Mooring buoys
Visitor buoys
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the Goulet de Brest then head south into the Anse de Roscanvel. Keep clear of the Pointe des Espagnols and its tidal stream. Anchor to the north of the stone jetty and the mooring field, whose buoys are not for visitors, with good holding and plenty of room to swing, best in westerly winds. The mooring area is shallow, so deeper-draught boats should anchor further out. Land the dinghy at the slipway and haul it clear, as it is in constant use. Sheltered from NW through W to SW, exposed to easterly winds across the rade.

Practical

No marina facilities on site. The village has a grocery open daily, a bakery, a bar-tabac, restaurants and a post office, and fresh water is available at the sailing club. Nearest full-service harbour is Camaret Port Vauban, 2.8 NM to SW through the Goulet, with fuel, water and visitor berths.

Ashore

Village of Roscanvel on the Crozon peninsula, inside the former military ring of Brest. The Crêperie Ty Billig is well regarded and cheaper than those in Camaret. Pointe des Espagnols fort and viewpoint over the Goulet at 2 km north. Sentier des douaniers GR34 runs along the shore past Second World War relics, some with information boards. Beaches of the Anse de Camaret reachable by road to the south.

History

The Pointe des Espagnols takes its name from the Spanish garrison that held the position during the Wars of Religion in 1594 before being dislodged by Anglo-French forces under Marshal d'Aumont. The peninsula was later fortified by Vauban and reinforced under Napoleon III as part of the outer defences of Brest.