Since 2017, Paul Bragg and his wife Elaine have been steadily exploring the west coast of France and northern Spain — and 2026 marks their ninth season cruising this remarkable region. In a very engaging and personal talk, Paul and Elaine explained why this coastline is so easy to fall in love with and so hard to leave. Drawing on years of first-hand experience, they shared what keeps pulling them back season after season and why this coastline is so easy to fall in love with and so hard to leave.
Is it the reliable sailing weather?
The long sandy beaches and beautiful islands?
The welcoming harbours, relaxed pace of life, and unforgettable food and wine?
What Paul Bragg described about the west coast of France, especially around the Gulf of Morbihan, is exactly why so many sailors end up staying longer than planned. That whole stretch of Brittany has this rare mix: sheltered waters, strong tidal character to keep things interesting, and towns that feel genuinely alive rather than staged for visitors.
The Morbihan in particular is a bit of a gem. It’s not just scenic, it’s engaging sailing. The currents between the islands can run fast, so timing matters, but that’s part of the appeal. You get calm anchorages tucked behind wooded islets, then lively ports a short hop away with markets, music, and festivals. It’s easy to see why Paul and Elaine Bragg, aboard their Island Packet Jennie B, have made this their cruising area for eight years.
The rivers he mentioned are another layer entirely, places like the Vilaine let you trade saltwater for glassy inland cruising, tying up right beside small towns where life moves at a completely different pace.
That said, it’s not effortless cruising, you’re trading familiarity for tide planning, pilotage, and a bit of language navigation. But for many, that’s exactly the point.
If you were tempted by the talk, the real question is: would you be looking at a short charter to try it out, or something more ambitious like taking your own boat across?
Thank you Paul and Elaine for inspiring us all.
Below is a pdf version of Paul’s presentation
8-years-sailing-West-Coast-Of-France-Geff-Version