Jean-Jacques Furet, Harbour Master, Treguier, has pointed out some major marina improvements to the following report I made in 2013. Please read his comments which are almost at the bottom of this page.

Report dated 11 September 2013

Tréguier, on the north coast of Brittany, is one of our favourite places in which to while away a few days absorbing the beauty and stillness of a river marina and walking around the small town with its many ancient buildings dating back to the sixth century.

Hot chocolate (large) in the square sitting opposite the 14th century cathedral is de rigueur as one contemplates the difficult decision of which boulangerie to choose for your next supply of croissants.

So what was wrong with the old marina?

In a strange way, the ‘oldness’ and ‘unkemptness’ of the pontoons was one of Tréguier’s attractions. You felt something of an explorer visiting a little known and hidden away marina.

Yet, the ravages of years had taken its toll. Piles were rusted through becoming a lattice-work of holes joined by flakes of rust. Fingers were too small, too flimsy and insubstantial for many visitors and stories of fingers breaking away drifting downriver complete with yacht attached can still be heard on the jungle drums.

That’s precisely why we kept coming back with Play d’eau, mooring up to the first or second hammerhead with its desperately suspect fingers, but having heard the distant jungle drums we would run additional warps stretching to more secure points back along the main pontoon.

So what’s new – what’s changed?

Major work has been carried out over the last year of so to revamp the marina. For example,

• Every pile has been replaced.
• Every piece of rotten and bent pontoon boarding has been replaced.
• The Capitainerie’s office is new and in the marina building opposite Pontoon E’s walkway
• Video surveillance is throughout the marina
• The bar and marina restaurant (Le Pontoon) has had a facelift and serves good food.

…and for the arriving boater,

• The first pontoon (E) now has a very substantial 30m x 2.5m pontoon in place of its old hammerhead.
• Eight new and substantial 10m fingers have been installed on the north side of E.
• The first three pontoons (E, D, C) offer the visitor berths.



• 55 visitor berths accommodate boats lengths up to approximately 15m max.
• Visitor berths have 16A electricity supplies and water
• Visitors can reserve a berth by calling the HM on his mobile 0033 (0) 6 72 70 70 20

Tréguier Marina

Tréguier marina is 5nm up the beautiful Rivre de Tréguier which has some lovely and protected places in which to anchor.

42nm to the west is Roscoff, 53nm NE will find you in Beaucette Marina Guernsey, to the east by 28nm is Paimpol and St Malo at 58nm, whilst Plymouth is 100nm to the NNW.

Access to the marina is 24/7, regardless of tide. Speed limits are 5kts reducing to 3kts in the marina. Along the river you’ll pass fish and shell fish farms and I’d advise keeping speed back to 3kts even if just to keep people happy.

Diesel is available from the N side of pontoon E, limited from HW slack to LW slack, but not during the flood tide.

The private firms which have been operating by the marina for many years all appear to have grown and offer just about every facility you may need. Lift out (21 tonne max), mechanics, GRP work, as well as considerable amounts of storage ashore, either covered in large sheds or out on the hard standing.

The ancient three floored chandlery just over the bridge has had an extension built and every nook and cranny of the whole building bulges with chandlery and clothing. I don’t recall having seen such an vast array of boaty bits in one place.

Lin and I spent ages just looking, whilst the smell of tarred twine evoked childhood memories of looking around Jersey’s St Aubin’s chandlery with Dad in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and before you say it, yes, I’ve recently qualified for my old age pension….

Provisioning

As well as the many shops in the square, I’m told there’s a Super-U on Boulevard Jean Guehenno, up the steepish hill from the Pont Canada roundabout about 1.6km SW of the marina. Walking back down the hill is much easier of course!

Le Ponton – the Marina’s bar and restaurant

After a period of absence, the marina restaurant is back up and running with a clever ‘pirate’ décor which we have to admit, is really well done.

Our first meal at Le Ponton was capped off by a glass of Venezuelan rum which the Chef Proprietor M. Porgré-gilles, presented to Piers. With rum as Piers favourite tipple, he was surprised by its richness and elegance and promptly bought a bottle the next day. How long it will last is another question altogether.

You can reserve a table by calling – 0033 (2) 96 92 41 08.

Three words of caution

A visiting yacht had done just that when we arrived and was having its bows repaired where the GPR had been damaged.

The second concerns the tidal flow which can move through the pontoons just as quickly, if not quicker, than that at Roscoff. It’s emphasised by the HM that mooring should only ever be attempted into the current.

The third concerns the debris the river picks up especially at spring tide and which can so easily foul your sterngear. Always check all is clear before casting off – it can save a good deal of embarrassment – see the photo below.

Our thanks for much of this information must go to HM, David Peron, who speaks such good English.

Piers and Lin
from the Nav table of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

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