Notes of a Recce to the Seine by Bill & Jean Millar 8-9th April 2013.
We were looking at possible launch sites for a Macgregor rally proposed for the upper part of the River Seine towards Paris and back. For reference purposes we used the French Fluviacarte No 1 which covers the full length of the river from Le Havre to Paris and beyond. Good river detail is provided and all locations are clearly indicated by distance in kilometres on the river from the centre of Paris – Pointes Kilometriques or PK numbers.

We found two very suitable marinas:

At PK121, Port de Plaisance de L’ilon. A somewhat remote spot, but very pleasant when we got there. The approach is from Junction 11 on the Autoroute A13 then about 2 or 3 miles of urban road followed by another couple of miles of open but narrower country road quite well signposted to the marina. Very sheltered marina with two good slipways, one easy slope that might need rope extension for launching and one steeper slope, both apparently with good hard surfacing. A modern Capitainerie and a helpful official. Plenty of spare pontoon berths and acres of space for both car and trailer parking, although probably not particularly secure. Petrol available from a pump on a convenient pontoon. Cost of 13 euros for two-way use of slip, no charge for car & trailer parking. Marina berth probably about 12-15 euros overnight. No shopping and only minimum chandlery. “Facilities” not investigated, but probably adequate rather than excellent since this is not a residential marina – more for day boats or short-stay. Nearest supermarket or restaurant probably about 5 miles away.

At PK81, Marina Port St Louis. It was actually called “nouvelle” marina, but in fact gave the distinct impression of being slightly old and run-down. However the chap that we met there was very helpful and indicated that we would be welcome. The approach is from Junction 7 on the A13, D153 to Poissy, then D190 for a short distance before turning on to a minor road with parked cars making life difficult, but not impossible, for half a mile or so to the marina gate. The marina is in a very sheltered basin off the river. Lots of spare pontoon space, some with electricity, petrol available from a pump. Good slipway. Marina “Facilities” not investigated, but probably pretty basic. No sign of any chandlery or shopping, but there may be a simple cafeteria open in the summer. Big supermarket and MacDonalds about a mile away; probably other small shops and restaurants around there also. Security for car and trailer may not be brilliant – there is a gated compound, but it looked to be pretty full. There is lots of space outside. Cost for use of slipway is 11 euros. Overnight berth in marina 10 euros. No charge for paring car & trailer.

Observations.

We were impressed by the size of the river. It is big and wide, much more so than the non-tidal stretches of the Thames. No apparent strong flow; very big barges and long river cruisers passing up and down – not an excessive number but maybe three or four an hour; enormously long locks to accommodate barges (located at PK 73, 49 and 17), although only about 3 or 5 metre rise/fall, probably have to allow an hour or so to pass through depending on other river traffic.
Normandy has quite a lot of interesting tourist attractions, castles, museums, etc. Although we would not be boating past Giverney, the Claude Monet Garden would be within a relatively short drive from either marina and we thought definitely worth a visit (although go in the early morning as it gets very crowded, even in April).

Recommendation.

Both marinas are suitable for our purposes. The one at PK121 is probably the more “salubrious”, but it is a longer distance from Paris and the 40km from there to PK81 (which would also make a good intermediate fuelling stop) might just be a bit of a flog at speed on a big wide river with perhaps not a lot of interesting scenery, although there are a couple of towns to pass by. We therefore tend towards the marina at PK 81, but are happy to be influenced by a majority vote. There are no locks on the river between the two marinas. The question therefore is:

Do you prefer to motor up the Seine (and back) for a distance of 121km or 81 km? See Plans A&B below.

Getting there.

Travelling from Winchester we favour a channel crossing by ferry from Portsmouth to either Caen or Le Havre. Brittany Ferries with three choices daily to Caen offers the most flexibility, but DFDS/LD Lines with a night crossing to Le Havre and a late afternoon return is both convenient and considerably cheaper and so would be our choice. Le Havre to PK 121 is about 85 miles; to PK 81 about 100 miles taking the A13 which has several stretches of “peage” or tolls. If others were to take the short seas crossing Dover-Calais, the drive would be somewhat longer, but autoroutes with tolls do go fairly directly to either location.

Suggested outline Plan A

This assumes that we start at PK 121 and allows 2½ days to get to Paris
Monday 10th June: Depart Portsmouth LD Lines Ferry at 2300hrs
Tuesday 11th June: Arrive Le Havre 0800hrs. Drive to Marina, approx mid-day arrival. Launch and prepare for next day departure.
Wednesday 12th- Thursday 13th, maybe part Friday 14th; motor up river to Paris.
Part Sunday 16th, Monday 17th, Tuesday 18th; Motor back from Paris to Marina.
Wednesday 19th; day free for local sight-seeing, tourism etc.
Thursday 20th; Haul out then drive to Le Havre for Ferry at 1700hrs to Portsmouth.

Suggested outline Plan B

This assumes that we start at PK 81 and allows 2 days to get to Paris
Monday 10th June: Depart Portsmouth LD Lines Ferry at 2300hrs
Tuesday 11th June: Arrive Le Havre 0800hrs. Drive to Marina, approx mid-day arrival. Launch and prepare for next day departure.
Wednesday 12th- Thursday 13th, motor up river to Paris.
Monday 17th, Tuesday 18th; Motor back from Paris to Marina.
Wednesday 19th; day free for local sight-seeing, tourism etc.
Thursday 20th; Haul out then drive to Le Havre for Ferry at 1700hrs to Portsmouth.

Conclusion.

In both plans, there is an uncertainty about the time involved to get into and out of the Paris marina, through an entrance lock, and involving perhaps some bureaucracy with the Capitainerie. Plan B has a bit more latitude in time and has the benefit of giving a bit more time in Paris.
We favour Plan B, but will be happy to go along with Plan A if that is preferable to others. Detailed instructions on how to find the marina will follow.

Bill & Jean
Avocet

Full address of the Marina for Plan B launching is

Nouvelle Marina Port Saint Louis
Avenue Vanderbilt
78955 Carrieres-sous-Poissy
France

Bill