Mouillage

Vilaine

4.8FranceLoire-Atlantique

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Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

River anchorage on the Vilaine above the Arzal dam, between Arzal-Camoël and La Roche-Bernard, southern Morbihan.

Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Entry through the Arzal dam lock, working to the harbour office opening times. Once in the impounded pool, freshwater navigation with no tidal stream. Mud bottom with good holding. Sheltered from all sides by the wooded banks of the ria, though wind can funnel down the river. The only wake comes from the occasional daytime ferry, which does not run at night.

Practical

Anchor clear of the buoyed channel and out of the way of transiting craft. Anchoring within the port limits is prohibited, so drop below the harbour sign and its 3 knot speed zone, where anchoring is free. La Roche-Bernard harbour 0.5 mile east, Arzal-Camoël marina 2.8 miles SW for diesel, water and full services.

Ashore

A short dinghy ride reaches the town pontoon with waterfront restaurants and a steep walk up to the old quarter of La Roche-Bernard, a 17th-century shipbuilding town of granite houses and cobbled lanes. The old port du Rodhoir below the town shelters the traditional flotilla of the Basse Vilaine, some forty classic craft. Riverside footpaths lead into Morbihan, with a walking loop from the harbour.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 47.51602, -2.31704 (47°30.96'N 2°19.02'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Pontoon
Boaters' rating: 4.8/5
Updated: October 15, 2026