Peter Cumberlidge


Secret Anchorages of Brittany provides concise pilotage directions for practically all the natural anchorages along the Brittany coast, from the Bay of Mont St Michel round to the great estuary of the Loire.

As with the first edition, the anchorages start near Cap de la Hague on the Cotentin Peninsula and include Iles Chausey, both of course part of Normandy. The book enters Brittany waters near Cancale and follows the whole 300-mile coastline, with its rivers, estuaries and offshore islands, looking into every nook and cranny on the way. This stylish second edition includes many new anchorages and is lavishly illustrated in colour, while the anchorage charts have been redrawn and verified against the Admiralty or French SHOM charts.

The pilotage sections are peppered with short features on the maritime traditions, life and history of this inimitable coast. Peter Cumberlidge is a well-known writer and photographer who cruises widely under sail and power. He always returns to Brittany with affection and the new Secret Anchorages reflects his sympathy for this fabulous cruising area, the people who live here and the superlative seafood for which the coast is justly renowned.

Contents: The Pleasures of anchoring, Anchoring in Brittany. 1. Cap de la Hague to Anse de Paimpol; 2. Anse de Paimpol to La Penze River 3. Ile de Batz to L'Aber-Ildut 4. Chenal du Four to Raz de Sein 5. Raz de Sein to Baie de la Fore 6. Aven River to Presquile de Quiberon 7. Belle Ile to the Gulf of Morbihan 8. Houat and Hoedic to the Vilaine River 9. The Vilaine to the Loire, Index.