Our itinerary? Well… that depends. Sailing is not like taking a train. WEATHER, WINDS, and TIDES all influence where and when we sail. And crew members have input as well. That means no expedition is exactly like another. But there’s an important life-skills lesson there. Life is full of surprises—sometimes good, sometimes bad—and so all of us have to learn to recalibrate as circumstances dictate. With that caveat, here are some of the places we often visit (in addition to our home port of Saint-Malo):
JERSEY
Because of its affluent residents and well-heeled visitors, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, has been called the Monaco of Britain. It's located in the English Channel about 12 nautical miles from the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. Among Jersey's principal sights are Mont Orgueil Castle, which has guarded the island for some 600 years, the Maritime and Transport Museum, the Victorian Central Market, the Jersey War Tunnels (constructed by the Germans during their World War II occupation of the island), the yachts in the harbors, and... the people!
Brest/Océanopolis
Largely destroyed during WWII, Brest has managed to reinvent itself. It boasts a remarkable botanical conservatory featuring hundreds of unusual plants and exotic flowers as well as an imposing castle with fortifications designed by Vauban. First constructed and occupied by Roman conquerors over 1,700 years ago, the castle is believed to be the oldest in the world still in use. But the most popular attraction for QBE crew members is Océanopolis, a sprawling ocean discovery center with enormous aquariums and world-class oceanographic research facilities.
GUERNSEY
Guernsey, the second-largest of the Channel Islands, was the refuge of the great French writer Victor Hugo during his 15-year exile from France. It was there that he wrote many of his most famous works, including Les Miserables. The author’s home—renovated several years ago— is one of the island’s major attractions. Other popular sites include Castle Cornet, the Bluebell Woods, Moulin Huet (the bay that was painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s favorite spot on the island), and the rugged cliffs offering panoramic vistas of the sea.
The Glénan Islands
Situated off the south coast of Brittany, the Glénan Islands are a little bit of Tahiti hidden away in the Bay of Biscay. The archipelago comprises nine main islands and numerous islets surrounding a lagoon. You won’t find the Glénans in many guidebooks because the only way to access them is by helicopter or boat—how propitious for our crew members! We use the islands’ fabulous white beaches for picnics and walks and take advantage of the crystal clear water for swimming and snorkeling. It’s a little Breton paradise that few people get to experience.
Lorient’s sailing museum
Lorient is home to the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly. Named after one of France’s most celebrated sailors and naval architects, the museum houses numerous exhibit spaces that include a “dynamic museographic area” with tactile activities, simulators, a cinema, and more. Exclusive documentaries feature skippers sharing their memories of exhilaration and harrowing drama, as well as reflections on the passage of a mythical cape, shipwrecks, solitude, solidarity, and a passion for open water and adventure. Visitors can go virtual racing or experience a round-the-world race in 4D.
MONT SAINT-MICHEL
One of France’s most popular tourist destinations, le Mont Saint-Michel has been a pilgrimage site since the eighth century, when the bishop of Avranches heard the Archangel Michael direct him to build an abbey. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting over three million visitors a year. The Benedictine abbey is perched atop a rocky island, with the town and dwellings situated below. Its steep and winding streets are picturesque, albeit often crowded with tourists. Still, despite all the commercialization, the majesty of the sacred site is palpable.