Wintering in France

[sailingfairisle]

Hi We are thinking of wintering in Southern France on a long term visa (we are British Liveaboards). Do you have recommendations? Thank you from Sailing Fair Isle

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by sailingfairisle

Hi We are thinking of wintering in Southern France on a long term visa (we are British Liveaboards). Do you have recommendations? Thank you from Sailing Fair Isle

The first thing I’d to find a berth that’s the biggest challenge. I did three years near nice but long term reasonable secure berths are very hard to come by
IMHO

You will have to clearly deal with the Viisa issues as you only have 90 out of 180 but a few shuffles on an airplane would solve that

[sailingfairisle]

So can you give me the email address of where you stayed near Nice? That would be a great place to start?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by sailingfairisle

So can you give me the email address of where you stayed near Nice? That would be a great place to start?

Baie des Anges Villeneuve Loubet but I drive to every berth place from st tropez to Menton to find one

Again it’s a very full up place so it will take time. Otherwise it’s third tier places that require local knowledge

[Zanshin]

I spent a year in the area around Antibes / Juan les Pins and Nice. While you won't get frost, the cold winds from hills make for a chilly time. I'd rather head towards Greece or Turkey.

[sailingfairisle]

Thank you. We are specifically looking at France. Are there any wintering marinas you recommend? Thanks

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I spent a year in the area around Antibes / Juan les Pins and Nice. While you won't get frost, the cold winds from hills make for a chilly time. I'd rather head towards Greece or Turkey.

Vauban is expensive and Juan less pins is booked solid and I agree it’s cold at times.

At present it’s no Picnic in Greece either as it’s snowing in northern Greece and very wet and windy in the Ionian.

Personally to me the canaries is the only option for reasonable costs and weather

[boatman61]

Here's a list of some in the Camargue..

https://www.mypremiumeurope.com/mari...Email%20marina

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Vauban is expensive and Juan less pins is booked solid and I agree it’s cold at times...Personally to me the canaries is the only option for reasonable costs and weather

Writing this response from Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. I chose somewhere further west and south to winter. If I had good heating and a berth that part of France is beautiful and worth exploring in the off-season (winter). That reminds me, my motorcycle is still in storage in Valbonne, up the hill from Antibes.

[goboatingnow]

Again the issue is availability. It all depends if you can get in somewhere

[Flobble]

How far in advance are people booking over-winter berths? Feels a bit late for winter 22/23, so are these discussions for 23/24? I'll be seeking somewhere for a 52ft cat for 24/25 so being a bit paranoid, when would I need to start making enquiries.

[Zanshin]

@Flobble - the majority of Med marinas are not set up for catamarans of that size. And once you find one, you'll be paying a significant surcharge. It won't be easy to find space. I'd start looking now.

[boatman61]

Flobble.. Try Almerimar in Spain.

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by sailingfairisle

Hi We are thinking of wintering in Southern France on a long term visa (we are British Liveaboards). Do you have recommendations? Thank you from Sailing Fair Isle

I keep my boat at Port Napolèon marina at the mouth of the Rhône, good haulout , safe from wave action and current although the Mistral can be beyond annoying. There is online CCTV throughout the entire Port á sec so you can go into the website and view your boat. Good rates and excellent customer service with a restaurant and chandlery as well as all the usual service providers on site.