The best semi-rigid outings in France
With some 5,500 kilometres of coastline, France is one of the most popular destinations for yachtsmen.
With a vast frontage to the Atlantic Ocean to the west, access to the Mediterranean basin and its millennia of history to the south, and a gateway to England via the Channel and the North Sea to the north, mainland France offers an incomparable variety of shores.
Crees, coves, bays, basins, deltas, lagoons, archipelagos... are just some of the geographical formations to discover, perfectly suited to sea outings with small or medium-sized boats such as RIBs.
Also, in order to plan your next outings, Orca Retail offers you a small tour of horizons of spots not to be missed in mainland France.
Now, discover the most beautiful boat trips to take on the French coastlines!
1. Parc des Calanques, from Marseille to Cassis
Let's start this must-see list with the Calanques National Park, Europe's only marine, land, island and peri-urban park. If you're from the Marseille area, no doubt the Calanques are your pride and joy, and one of the good reasons to live there.
Stretching a modest 20 kilometres out to sea, the Parc des Calanques attracts no fewer than 3 million visitors every year. As difficult to access as it is rich, the park brings together some 80 bird species, reptiles, 900 plant species and 60 marine species including dolphins and turtles!
A veritable Eden of turquoise waters, sailing and swimming in the Calanques will plunge you into the heart of the Mediterranean's epic ancient adventures, amid mythical locations: Ile du Frioul, La Madrague, the Bay of Cassis... in short, a must-see destination in the Bouches du Rhône !
Difficult to access by land (and restricted in summer), the Calanques benefit from being visited from the sea, particularly to enjoy a different viewpoint and more peace and quiet.
2. The Lérins islands, Cannes
Let's stay in the south and more particularly in the Alpes-Maritimes department with the Lérins archipelago, made up of 5 islands, including two main ones: to the north, Sainte-Marguerite, famous for its fort which is said to have sheltered the Man in the Iron Mask, and to the south, Saint-Honorat, known for housing a Cistercian monastery.
Accessible in just a few dozen minutes from the port of Cannes, these islands await you with the following on land: bird sanctuaries, pine and eucalyptus forests, ponds, museums and historic sites.
Swimming around the islands is of course highly recommended!
3. The Cliffs of Etretat
A true natural monument (and of our national tourist industry), the cliffs of Etretat impress as much as they inspire.
From their summits or from the sea, the cliffs and arches of Etretat offer a spectacle you never tire of, conducive to contemplation. To enjoy the view from the open sea, it's best to set off from Fécamp, between April and October.
Nearby, also discover along the côte Fleurie the typical little ports of prestigious towns: Dieppe, Deauville and Trouville.
Located further south, the beaches of Cabourg, Ouistreham, Arromanches or Colleville-sur-Mer meanwhile will plunge you into the heart of the Normandy landing.
4. The Dune du Pilat and the Bay of Arcachon
Other natural giant of mainland France, the Dune du Pilat,theahighest in Europe majestically dominates the Bay of Arcachon and the Atlantic Ocean with its 103,6 metres high (2023 measurement).
This favourite destination between the tumult of the ocean and the tranquillity of its iconic dockside fishing villages is a marvel not to be missed under any circumstances.
Arcachon and itswintertown, the cap ferret and its sumptuous villas, the parks and oyster shacks, bird island, pine forests ... are a feast for the eyes (and the stomach)!
Well protected from the currents, the basin also offers an excellent playground for all water sports enthusiasts, and is undoubtedly one of the best places in France to go out in a semi-rigid boat!
5. The Camargue and Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer
This is one of the wildest regions in France! Head to the Camargue if you want to take a trip out to sea, where you can observe shores untouched by human activity.
From Le Grau du Roi / Aigues-Mortes, head for Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Although you can't get to the heart of the Camargue Regional Park by boat from the sea, its coastline is no less interesting.
See the Gacholle lighthouse, stop off at the Beach of Beauduc and continue until you see the lighthouse, then head off to Port-Bouc and the Fos-sur-mer to enjoy secluded beaches, and maybe hope to see some dolphins!
6. The islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron
Let's return to the Atlantic seaboard and more specifically the La Rochelle region, which is also not short of choice when it comes to sea walks! While the mythical Fort Boyard springs to mind, the Charente-Maritime department is home to 3 of the most beautiful coastal gems with its islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron. Although Ré and Oléron are linked to the mainland, there's nothing like discovering them from the water.
Must-see sights on these islands include the Chassiron lighthouse, the pedestrian streets of Saint-Pierre d'Oléron, and the Château d'Oléron.
Highly renowned for its bike rides in the heart of a nature beaten by iodised winds and its small stone villages, these islands will particularly appeal to nostalgic souls dreaming of a peaceful island life.
7. The archipelago of 7 islands
Located in Brittany in the Côtes-d'Armor, this archipelago of 7 islands (Rouzic, Malban, Les Costans, Bono, l'Île-aux-Moines, l'Île Plate and Le Cerf), constitutes a protected natural site that will be of particular interest to ornithologists, as there is a large bird reserve. Nature lovers will be delighted, as these fairly inaccessible islands with their hostile surroundings are also home to other colourful animal species such as sea lions.
We advise you to set off from Perros-Guirec, Trégastel or Ploumanach, to coast along the Pink Granite coast as far as the Mean Ruz lighthouse, before continuing north towards these small islands.
As its name suggests, the Pink Granite Coast is a very rocky coastline, which from the land doesn't make it ideal for swimming, hence the interest in going by sea. In short, a walk through a wild and mineral universe to discover small deserted islands, every adventurer's dream!
8. Collioure, Port-Vendres and Argelès
Go to the Pyrénées Orientales department and the Perpignan region for this final leg to the Spanish border.
This Catalan region, which is often fairly unknown and not very touristy, offers its fair share of curiosities.
The three ports of Argelès Collioure and Port-Vendres will punctuate your boat trip along the wild Côte Vermeille. As this coastline is quite indented and has relatively few beaches, discovering it from the sea seems ideal.
On the menu,rocky coves, views of hillside vineyards, Catalan fishing boats, Cap Béar and Cap Cerbère lighthouses.
9. The Gulf of Morbihan and Vannes
The Gulf of Morbihan is one of Brittany's most beautiful jewels, located between the town of Vannes and Quiberon Bay.
In this enclave of water, navigate peacefully from island to island: île-aux-moines, île d'Arz, île d'Ilur, île d'Iluric, île Godec, île de Tascon and many more to discover.
A little Caribbean air within reach of France's most famous corsair city, what more could you ask for?
10. Agriates Desert and Lotu beach
Let's finish our tour of France in the Isle of Beauty!
While of course Corsica is full of fabulous places such as the Calanques de Piana, the Lavezzi islands, the Sanguinaires islands or the cliffs of Bonifacio, the beach of Santa Giulia, here we have selected the Lotu beach and the Agriates desert.
This is a discreet and extremely well-preserved site. As its name suggests, the only thing to be found in this Agriates desert are a few abandoned sheepfolds. From the sea, admire the scrubland that invades the entire coastline, with the exception of small dreamy beaches such as Lotu.
To do this, leave from the village of Saint Florent, and head north-west up the coast: Fiume Santu beach, tower and Mortella lighthouses will guide you towards Lotu. If you want to continue the walk, don't hesitate to make your way to the beach of Saleccia which faces the amazing marshes of Padulella.
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