Grandcamp is a slightly tatty resort town and fishing harbour which nonetheless has considerable appeal. It can also be a useful staging point for visits to Carentan and other parts of the Baie du Grand Vey.

Confronted by the Roches de Grandcamp which dry 1.3m, visitors will need to wait until at least half tide before beginning their approach. The best starting point is between north cardinal buoys No.3 and No.5 which will set you on a heading, marked by quick flashing leading lights, straight between the breakwaters. However, if you are coming from the east rather than the west it’s perfectly satisfactory in good visibility to head in from east of No.1 buoy or anywhere between the two. Be aware that, as so often, the outer ends of the breakwaters cover at HW leaving the light structures apparently marooned at sea.

The lock into the harbour opens about 3 hours either side of HW, and there is no waiting pontoon. Once inside, the marina is to your right with the south and east quays of the harbour reserved for fishing vessels. Visitors’ berths are at the seaward end of C pontoon, and when we were last there the marina manager was particularly helpful and friendly assisting us in berthing in the confined space and up early the following morning to help us leave. (In October 2008 it was temporarily closed for dredging.)

Best restaurant is La Marée on the quayside (5 quai Henri Cheron, T 02 31 21 41 00). After dinner take a stroll along the beach or the breakwaters. In season you may be treated to a tiny “circus” which sets up noisily in the corner of the harbour. It’s literally one man and a dog but he keeps his audience enthralled for hours performing tricks, telling jokes and doing acrobatics. It’s that kind of place.

© 2008 Yachtpilot