Anchorage

La Roche-Bernard

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Forbidden

River anchorage on the Vilaine upstream of the Arzal dam, in front of the town of La Roche-Bernard.

Water
Electricity
Pontoon
Dock

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Access from the sea via the Arzal lock, the only way in since the dam was built in 1970. The lock operates roughly every hour during daylight. Once upstream, the Vilaine is fresh water, no tide. Anchorage 0,2 nm west of the Port de La Roche-Bernard pontoons. Shelter all round, the river is fully enclosed.

Practical

Sand bottom, good holding. Water and electricity available on the adjacent town pontoons. Fuel at Arzal-Camoël marina 3,1 nm downstream. Town shops, bakery and restaurants at 400 m up the steep ramp to the old town.

Ashore

Old town built on a cliff above the Vilaine, streets of 17th century granite houses. Musée de la Vilaine Maritime in the old port. Vieux Pont suspended over the river, replaced after being destroyed in 1944. GR 39 footpath passes through the town.

History

La Roche-Bernard was an active shipbuilding site in the 17th century. Le Brézé, a 58-gun warship ordered by Richelieu, was built here and launched in 1634.

Story

In 1795 the town was briefly renamed La Roche-Sauveur after a local official, Joseph Sauveur, was executed by Chouan insurgents for refusing to renounce the Republic.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 47.51693, -2.30942 (47°31.02'N 2°18.57'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Forbidden
Fees: Paid
Services: Water, Electricity, Pontoon, Dock
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026