Anchorage

La poire

Shelter: NW, N, NE
Seabed: sand, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on sand and weed south of Penmarc'h, at the western tip of the pays Bigouden in southern Finistère. Shelter from NW to NE winds.

Water
Mooring buoys
Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Cross the Chaussée de Penmarc'h carefully. This is one of the most rock-strewn coasts of Brittany, marked by the Eckmühl lighthouse as the main landmark. Approach by day only with a recent chart. Saint-Guénolé lies 1.8 NM to the NW as a more sheltered harbour.

Practical

Forain anchorage on sand and weed, holding is variable and requires checking the set. Water point reported on shore. Exposed to southerly and westerly swell, which can be heavy on this Atlantic coast. Leave immediately on any forecast of SW wind.

Ashore

The Phare d'Eckmühl is 1 km inland, one of the tallest active lighthouses in France at 65 m, open to visitors in summer. Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Joie is 800 m along the coast. Shops and supermarket in Penmarc'h village 2 km away.

History

The Eckmühl lighthouse was funded by a bequest from the daughter of Marshal Davout, Prince of Eckmühl, and lit in 1897 to reduce shipwrecks on this coast, which had claimed hundreds of vessels in the 19th century.