• Speech bubble icon Instructors: 2
  • People icon Crew Size: Max 9 (10 for ocean)
  • Cake icon Ages: 18-70 ish
Intermediate

Adventure Rating:
Intermediate

None

Experience Required:
None

12 Days from £1,899

Dates, Prices & Travel

Sailing France’s Brittany Coast

Come for a wonderful sailing adventure along The Breton Route, a journey under sail along France’s historic Brittany coastline that offers a mix of exploration, culture, and discovery. As we sail from port to port, you’ll experience the rich maritime history that has shaped the region for centuries, along with the unique charm of its coastal towns and villages. From fortified harbors and medieval strongholds to quiet fishing communities, everywhere we stop is imbued with Brittany’s deep connection to the sea. Whether you’re drawn to history, local traditions, or simply the scenic beauty of sailing the French coast, this trip offers a really well-rounded, memorable exploration of Brittany.

Ready for the trip of a lifetime with Europe’s #1-rated adventure sailors?

Rubicon 3 expeditions are genuine sailing adventures rather than luxury sailing holidays. Depending on your chosen route, you will be off the beaten track, possibly out on the open ocean, sailing to and exploring remote and beautiful places. The expert Rubicon 3 instructors will train you and ensure you are fully involved in all aspects of the experience, including navigating, helming, trimming sails, cooking, and looking after the yacht. As a true sailing adventure, it is much less predictable (& much better!) than a packaged experience, with itineraries planned day by day and shaped by local circumstances and weather. To participate in the adventure, all we ask is that crew recognize this, have a great attitude, a desire for adventure, and a willingness to be fully involved.

Want to join?

Go to the Dates & Prices button to see this trip’s dates. It will also give you information on connecting travel, including where to fly and when and where to join the boat.

 

Sailing Area

French Brittany sailing area map
The Yachts

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Key Information
What’s included
  • All food and accommodation on board

  • All fuel & berthing fees

  • Your own bunk and storage area

  • Use of oilskins

  • Use of lifejacket with PLB

  • All sailing tuition

  • RYA Competent Crew (supplementary fee)

What’s Not included
  • Your connecting travel to & from boat

  • Sailing & travel insurance

  • Meals you choose to eat ashore

  • Alcohol

  • Visas (where required)

  • Discretionary crew tip

Interested in dates & availability?

To see when this trip runs, its start and end locations, price to join the crew and availability, click on the ‘Dates, Prices & Travel’ button up top.

Discretionary tipping of the Rubicon 3 crew

We’ve priced this trip 5-10% lower than we otherwise would to allow you the option, at the end of your adventure, to offer a discretionary tip to the Rubicon 3 skipper and mate if you feel they’ve provided exceptional service. A combined tip of 5-10% is suggested but is entirely at your discretion and based on your satisfaction with their performance. See our FAQs here.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

We get it – joining a major sailing adventure is a big decision, and it’s natural to have lots of questions before you book. Wondering who else will be onboard? What the experience will be like? These and many more questions are completely normal. While our homepage and FAQs provide loads of info, we know sometimes it’s best to talk it through. Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or live chat (at the bottom of the screen). Better yet, we’d suggest you schedule a call. Most crew who join do and find it really useful. We can discuss your options, answer every question, and make sure you’re booking on the perfect trip for you.

Welcome to the Breton Route, and the exploration of France’s Brittany coast. This 12-day sailing itinerary is a magical sail and exploration of a beautiful coastline, rich in local culture and history. Please note this is genuine adventure sailing and the wind and the weather at the time will dictate where we can go and when. This itinerary is a sample to show some of the highlights that are possible, but we will decide on the actual stops at the time, in association with you the crew, when we know the wind and weather.

Plymouth, UK to Brest, France

Plymouth

Known as the launch point for some of the most famous voyages in history, Plymouth’s maritime legacy is unparalleled. It’s from here that the Pilgrims sailed to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Plymouth is also home to the Royal Navy and has a long-standing association with British naval history, making it a great place to explore before setting sail across the Channel to Brest, France.

Brest, France

Brest

Brest has been a strategic naval base for centuries and was heavily bombed during WWII. While much of the city is modern, its naval port remains an important part of France’s maritime defense. The Château de Brest is one of the oldest castles in France and offers great insights into Brest’s maritime heritage. Don’t miss the National Maritime Museum housed within the castle walls.

Camaret Sur Mer

Camaret-sur-Mer

This quaint fishing port is best known for the Vauban Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 17th century by the famed military engineer Sébastien Vauban, the tower protected the harbor from enemy ships. The town’s Church of Notre-Dame de Rocamadour, surrounded by old shipwrecks, adds to the charm of this picturesque location.

Douarnenez

Douarnenez

Once famous for its sardine fishing industry, Douarnenez is rich in maritime culture. Visit the Port-Museum, where you can explore historic boats and learn about the region’s fishing heritage. The town has a bohemian charm, with narrow streets, colorful houses, and a lively market. The nearby Île Tristan is steeped in legend, supposedly linked to the famous story of Tristan and Iseult.

ile-de-Sein

Île de Sein

This remote, windswept island holds a place of honor in French history. During WWII, the entire male population of the island left to join General de Gaulle’s Free French Forces after the German occupation of France. The island is also home to the powerful Phare de Sein lighthouse, which has been guiding mariners safely for over a century.

Audierne

Audierne

Nestled at the mouth of the Goyen River, Audierne is famous for its seafood, especially fresh oysters and langoustines. The town’s historic Saint-Ronan Church and its bustling market add to its quaint appeal. For nature lovers, the nearby Pointe du Raz offers stunning views of the rugged coast and is considered one of France’s most dramatic natural landscapes.

Demoiselles-de-Loctudy

Loctudy

Known for its lovely fishing harbor, Loctudy is a seafood lover’s paradise, famous for the “Demoiselles de Loctudy” – local, sweet-tasting small lobsters. The town is also home to several beautiful chapels and offers easy access to the Île-Tudy, a charming peninsula with sandy beaches, ideal for an afternoon stroll or swim.

Concarneau

Concarneau

A true highlight of the region, Concarneau’s Ville Close is a well-preserved walled medieval town located on a small island in the center of the harbor. The cobblestone streets are lined with shops and restaurants, offering plenty to explore. The town’s Fishing Museum showcases the importance of the fishing industry to the region. Concarneau is also known for its active sailing culture and annual regattas.

Port-Louis France

Port-Louis

Steeped in history, the Citadel of Port-Louis was built in the 16th century and played a vital role in protecting the port. Today, it houses the Museum of the French East India Company and a Maritime Museum, providing fascinating insights into the town’s past as a major trading hub with the East. Its strategic location also offers lovely views over the bay.

Ile-de-Groix

Île de Groix

Known for its unusual, crescent-shaped Les Grands Sables Beach, which is unique in Europe, the island offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. The island was once home to one of the largest tuna fleets in France, and its Tuna Fishing Museum pays homage to that era. The island is also a popular spot for diving due to its diverse marine life and underwater landscapes.

Le Verdon-sur-Mer

Situated at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, Le Verdon-sur-Mer is a quiet coastal retreat known for its expansive beaches and proximity to the renowned Médoc wine region. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy visiting nearby vineyards, where they can sample some of the region’s world-famous wines, including prestigious labels from Château Margaux and Château Lafite Rothschild. The Phare de Cordouan, an elegant lighthouse at the entrance of the estuary, is often called the “Versailles of the Sea” and is one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation.

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

July 7, 2025
England

End Date & Location

July 18, 2025
France

Price

£1,899

Deposit

£750

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: July 7, 2025

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: England

Start Port: Plymouth

Start Marina: TBC

End Date: July 18, 2025

End Time: 10:00

End Country: France

End Port: Le Verdon-sur-Mer

End Marina: TBC

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Bristol (IATA code: BRS)
Fly Out of: Bordeaux (IATA code: BOD)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Plymouth, United Kingdom
  • Direct trains run from London Paddington to Plymouth, taking around 3-3.5 hours (details here)
  • The nearest airport isExeter International Airport (IATA code: EXT) and you can take a train or bus from Exeter to Plymouth. Bristol Airport (IATA code: BRS) is another option, also with regular train and bus connections to Plymouth.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on July 07, 2025, so you will likely need to be in Plymouth on July 06, 2025
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Le Verdon-sur-Mer on the evening of July 17, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 10:00 AM, July 18, 2025.
  • To get to Bordeau airport, take a regional train (TER) from Le Verdon station to Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station. The train journey takes about 2 hours. From Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, you can take the Liane 1+ bus directly to Bordeaux Airport, which takes around 35-45 minutes.
General Notes
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise regarding connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, any non EU residents will likely require an ETIAS, the new EU border control / visa waiver system. You can find out all the information here. You must have this before you join the boat,
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total:

Start Date & Location

July 21, 2025
France

End Date & Location

August 1, 2025
England

Price

£1,899

Deposit

£750

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: July 21, 2025

Start Time: Time TBC

Start Country: France

Start Port: Le Verdon-sur-Mer

Start Marina: TBC

End Date: August 1, 2025

End Time: Time TBC

End Country: England

End Port: Plymouth

End Marina: TBC

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Bordeaux (IATA code: BOD)
Fly Out of: Exeter (IATA code: EXT)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, France
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on July 21, 2025, so you will likely need to be in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France. on July 20, 2025
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
  • To get to Le Verdon-sur-Mer from Bordeaux Aiport, take the Liane 1+ bus directly to Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station. This takes 35-40 minutes.
  • From Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, take a regional train (TER) to Le Verun-Sur-Mer. This takes around 2 hours.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Plymouth, United Kingdom.
  • Direct trains run to London Paddington from Plymouth, taking around 3-3.5 hours (details here)
  • The nearest airport is Exeter International Airport (IATA code: EXT) and you can take a train or bus to Exeter from Plymouth. Bristol Airport (IATA code: BRS) is another option, also with regular train and bus connections from Plymouth.

The boat is scheduled to arrive into Plymouth on the evening of July 31, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 10:00 AM, August 01, 2025.

General Notes

  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise regarding connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total:

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