Sailing in France this summer: a note for families

Reports of unrest in France—and in several other European countries—understandably raise questions for families considering a QBE expedition. We hope conditions will settle down well before our sailing season, but of course nobody can predict how events will develop. Our responsibility is to make careful decisions based on conditions at the time.

Flexibility is central to sailing. Our expeditions are not tied to a fixed sequence of hotels or an unchangeable itinerary. Within the limits of weather, tides, and safe navigation, we can adjust our route, choose among various harbors, and change shore plans when circumstances warrant.

We know our sailing area extremely well, including the alternatives available if a particular destination becomes unsuitable for whatever reason. That local knowledge is backed by decades of experience caring for teenagers on sailing and other expeditions.

No expedition can promise complete insulation from events in the wider world. What QBE brings is experienced leadership, thoughtful judgment, and the flexibility to adapt, with participants’ safety always at the center of our decisions.

We welcome conversations with parents about the sailing area along coastlines in mostly rural France (as well as the British Channel Isles), our approach to changing conditions, and any particular concerns.