Anchorage

Paimpol

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

Anchorage off the town of Paimpol in the Anse de Paimpol, north coast of Brittany, Côtes-d'Armor.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the Chenal du Denou or the Chenal de la Jument, both marked. Sand bottom, good holding. Sheltered from SE through SW and W to NW, exposed to NE. The bay dries over a large area at low water of spring tides, check the chart and local tidal curve before anchoring. Tidal range up to 12 metres on springs, among the largest in Europe.

Practical

Forain anchorage in the bay. Port Adhoc marina 0.2 NM to the NW offers visitor berths with diesel, water and electricity. Paimpol town basin 0.2 NM to the SW, a lock basin that opens around HW plus or minus 1 hour.

Ashore

Abbaye de Beauport, a 13th century Premonstratensian abbey, 2 km south of the bay. Pointe de Guilben headland and coastal path at 1.5 km. GR 34 sentier des douaniers passes through the town.

History

Paimpol was the main port of the Iceland cod fishery from 1852 to 1935. At its peak around 1900, more than 80 schooners sailed each February for the six-month campaign off Iceland. Pierre Loti described the fleet in his 1886 novel Pêcheur d'Islande.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 48.78411, -3.03970 (48°47.05'N 3°2.38'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Beach
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026