Morlaix is a bit of a challenge to get to, requiring careful timing so as to accomplish the passage up the river within an hour of HW. The approaches however are exceptionally attractive, and the town itself a pleasing blend of solid grey stone in a narrow valley with a monumental railway viaduct above.

Most yachts will find it best to start the 6 mile passage up river at about half tide. Any earlier and you may find yourself going aground in the lower reaches. Any later and if anything goes wrong you may be doing the final stretches with the tide already starting to ebb, which is never a comfortable situation on a tidally sensitive river with which you are unfamiliar.

Out in the bay pick up the buoyed channel (Grand Chenal) which is marked initially by a series of starboard hand marks. Then follow the twists and turns of the channel through the Rade and into the river proper, being prepared if necessary to wait for the tide if depths are inadequate.

With an adequate rise of tide the buoyed Chenal du Tréguier to the east offers an alternative approach starting out in the bay at the green beacon La Pierre Noire and joining the main channel beyond the Chateau du Taureau. In our opinion, it’s doubtful if the time saving is worth the slightly trickier approach so far as visitors are concerned.

The lock below the town opens at 1 1/2 hours before HW, at HW and 1 hour after HW, and you can download the predicted times from the port website. The lock does not operate at night. Inside, the marina is to your left with pretty views up the valley, somewhat offset by the noise of the road along the quay.

Known to the Romans as Mons Relaxus, the town has a long and romantic history being later ruled by the counts of Léon whose kingdom, according to Breton legend, was the Lyonnesse of Arthurian romances. More recently it was the birthplace of one of Napoleon’s more distinguished lieutenants, General Moreau, victor of the battle of Hohenlinden.

Shops and a market are ten minutes walk into the town. Among the better restaurants are La Marée Bleue (3 rampe St-Mélaine, T +33 (0)2 98 63 24 21) and Brasserie de l’Europe (pl E. Souvestre, T +33 (0)2 98 88 81 15).

2008 Yachtpilot