Yacht charter France Atlantique
Last updated on 7 April 2025
The Bay of Biscay, stretching from Brittany to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a fascinating area for leisure and escape.
A yacht charter in France's Atlantic coast region promises you sensational moments of discovery with family or friends. With its seductive countryside and its miles of coastline, sometimes jagged, sometimes smiling and melancholy, with its alluring islands and archaeological treasures, southern Brittany offers a vision of a wild and beautiful coastline. Wild, rugged and beautiful, it will undoubtedly delight all lovers of nature and the sea.
Our yacht charter bases at La Trinité, Concarneau, Lorient, Le Crouesty and Arzal will enable you to discover all its superb coasts, as well as the Gulf of Morbihan, Belle-Ile-en-Mer and the Quiberon peninsula.
Further south, from Pornichet or La Rochelle, you can discover the beautiful anchorages, small ports and coves of the islands of Yeu, Ré and Oléron.
Finally, on this Atlantic coast, we also have charter bases in Arcachon and Hendaye, from where you can sail to the Basque coast with Saint Jean de Luz, Anglet or the Spanish coast.
An exciting French Atlantic coast to explore by yacht
From the Gironde to Finistère, via the Vendée and Quiberon Bay, the French Atlantic coast offers a multitude of places to discover by pleasure boat. The numerous possibilities for stopovers mean that cruisers can easily adapt their program to suit their expectations. The Bay of Biscay, nestled between Spain and Armorica, is a region that delights boaters with its breathtaking scenery, authentic traditions and historical treasures. The port city of La Rochelle, capital of the Charente-Maritime department, is one of the iconic places that you absolutely must discover during your yacht exploration of the French Atlantic coast. Its historic center, a veritable collection of architectural masterpieces, always captivates the curious, as do its arcaded streets, fortified towers and city hall.
Even though it is possible to sail in the region almost all year round, the spring and summer seasons are the most favorable for sailboat charters in the Atlantic. Since the strongest winds blow fromWest to east, with varying intensities depending on the weather and the season, so you need to be careful and be prepared for possible strong gusts. All the more so as the Bay of Biscay has fewer sheltered anchorages than the coasts of Brittany, especially on the coastlines south of the famous Arcachon Basin. The latter is one of the must-sees, with its delicious oysters, its ornithological reserve which invites you to take beautiful walks or bike rides, and its Dune of Pilat, ideal for your first paragliding experience.
The islands that will leave their mark on your cruise
Exploring the islands is also one of the most obvious options when sailing in the open sea off the Atlantic coast. Île-d'Yeu, for example, offers an incredible variety of sites to visit during a stopover. This island commune in the Vendée, which was already inhabited 5000 years ago, is full of vestiges of the past, such as dolmens, menhirs and the old castle built in the 14th century on a rocky islet. The Fishing Museum, Soux beach, the little port of Les Vieilles, and Sapins beach are also particularly appealing places for sea lovers like us. about 16 nautical miles away, Noirmoutier also offers you the chance to experience some wonderful moments during a yacht charter with or without a skipper, if your experience allows it. In particular, you can take train rides, with commentary from a guide who will tell you more about the history and special features of the island.
Note that by heading north, towards the Morbihan commune of Quiberon, you will encounter natural wonders such as the islands of Houat, Hoëdic and Belle-Île-en-Mer, which will enhance your boat trip. A land of intoxicating scents, Hoëdic is a haven of peace barely 2km2 in size that will awaken the poet in you, thanks to its harmonious and restful landscapes, decorated with sea lilies, centauries and hollyhocks. About 8 nautical miles to the west, Belle-Île-en-Mer, on the other hand, will be a stopover that will change you forever. This enchanting destination is a concentrated form of escape, offering holidaymakers a thousand and one contemplative moments thanks to the unmissable sites of the Aiguilles de Port-Coton, the Pointe des Poulains, Donnant beach and the port of Sauzon. What's more, the curious among you won't be short of things to do, as Belle-Île-en-Mer has a number of remarkable cultural sites, including the Sarah Bernhardt museum, the Vauban Citadel museum and the church of Notre-Dame in Locmaria.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 424 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess |
| Average price per week | $2,317 |
| Minimum weekly price | $496 |
| Maximum price per week | $10,236 |