Le Havre to Rouen on La Siene

[keyna6000]

Hi there

We have a 13m motor pleasure boat, 10-12 knots max. We want to travel to Rouen (then the rest inland waterways to Marseille). We have looked at tide maps and low tide 24 July is 06:31 so we will go on this tide or the next day at 07:28.

Just looking for any advice. We want to do in one long day. Would you advise leaving at, 1 or 2 hours before low tide? How long might the trip take? What hazards should we look for.

We are planning to stay at Rouen Port de Plaisance for a couple of nights to recover before the next leg. I have read mixed reviews about this marina. Does anyone have any experience to share please?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Keyna

[Pete7]

Keyna,

I haven't do this trip (yet) but Michael Briant has spent a life time sailing around and through France, plus the rest of the world.

You might like to watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbM6...=SailingGently

[keyna6000]

Thx for that
The video mentions a waiting pontoon outside Honfleur. Has anyone moored here? It cuts off 12 miles between Le Havre & Honfleur on the trip to Rouen. Sounds like a really good idea else you need to be leaving 3 hours before LW to make up that 12 miles
Keyna

[psk125]

That looks like a long day, even with the tide in your favor. Google maps shows the Seine making so many turns that it's about 70 miles by water. With traffic, you may get stuck behind some slower-moving barges. For an initial foray it might be better to be less aggressive on the first day.

[keyna6000]

There's nowhere really to stop. It has to be an aggressive first day. It is quite a big day out and has to be planned with the tide. It is the most aggressive day in the whole trip from Le Havre to the Med
Keyna

[Stewie12]

Try this for info

https://www.french-waterways.com/pra...mediterranean/

[Clivevon]

As far as i remember the waiting pontoon at Honfleur is inside the lock. Been there a few times but not for 4 years. Dont remember a waiting pontoon outside at Honfleur but i wasnt ever looking for one so may just have missed it. I have seen pontoons further upriver in east bank, long before Rouen.
Be very careful between Le Havre & entrance to the Seine. Lots of shallow water- do not be tempted to cut the corner.
Also am sure you know about the training bank on north side of Seine. Pay close attention to that. Travel upriver on north side of river, just outside the main channel port hand buoys, between them & the training bank. Keep a good lookout behind you.
Honfleur is absolutely NOT to be missed. Presume you know it well otherwise crazy to go past it..

[Clivevon]

Go to Honfleur. Shame you missed 14 July there. Then on to Rouen. Stay 1 day in Rouen instead of 2 if you have to. 2 days in Honfleur would not be too many. See if you can get into the Vieille Port in town centre, past lifting bridge, to be at heart of the action - shops, bars, restaurants - i’m jealous already.

[Clivevon]

I assume you have someone on board with CEVNI ?

[Tumbet26]

Hi Honfleur is a lovely stop we stayed on the pontoon outside the inner harbour but inside the lock. We left at low water but flooding in Paris meant we met a 6 knot flow with a few trees floating by. We sat it out stemming the tide then the incoming tide gave us 10 knots up river reasonably long day but not a problem. Commercial traffic always has right of way. Check that there isn’t too much flooding in Paris. Otherwise a lovely trip.
Dom Kilbride (Hermionedoes France)