La Trinité-sur-Mer Harbour – A Living Museum of World Sailing

The harbour of La Trinité-sur-Mer is much more than a simple coastal marina: it is the legendary home port that has built up 60+ years of sporting history, a forest of multicoloured masts and the headquarters of the greatest skippers in the world. An emblematic destination offering a permanent nautical spectacle, with high-tech maxi-trimarans, prestigious regattas, views over the Crac’h river and its age-old oyster beds, and the typically Breton atmosphere of its lively quays. A marina and water-sports base in the estuary of the Crac’h river, it welcomes monohulls and multihulls of every size, along with boatyards and a sailing school. Legendary great skippers: Éric Tabarly (1964 Transat), Olivier de Kersauson, Loïc Caradec. Current champions: Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim’), Francis Joyon (IDEC Sport, 2017 Jules Verne record), Alexia Barrier (100% female crew). Maxi-trimarans of 31–32 metres with foils, speeds of 30+ knots and ocean records. Spi Ouest-France, every Easter weekend – the largest regatta for cruising yachts in Europe (400–450 boats, 2,000+ sailors). Kerisper bridge, 1901 (Eiffel), bombed in 1944, rebuilt 1956–1958, with a 180° panoramic view. Just 3 km from Camping Les Druides, experience the incomparable nautical life of the beating heart of French sailing.

📌 About this destination

Camping Les Druides recommends a visit to the harbour of La Trinité-sur-Mer through its blog and its recommendation articles.

Important: the harbour of La Trinité-sur-Mer is a freely accessible public facility managed by the Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer (SNT), the Quiberon Bay tourist office and the municipality of La Trinité-sur-Mer. Camping Les Druides:

• does not manage this harbour

• does not offer guided tours

• simply helps you reach this tourist destination

We recommend this exceptional destination to enrich your stay.

For practical information – regatta calendar, events, access to the quays – contact the Société Nautique or the Quiberon Bay tourist office.

⛵ La Trinité-sur-Mer harbour – history & vocation

Harbour characteristics

A harbour devoted to offshore racing & leisure sailing:

• Type: marina & water-sports base

• Location: Crac’h river estuary, Quiberon Bay

• Basin: welcomes monohulls & multihulls of all sizes

• Facilities: harbour office, boatyards, sailing school

• Moorings: historic old harbour & new modern pontoons

• Traffic: constant – racing, leisure, fishing

Home port of the sailing legends

La Trinité-sur-Mer: headquarters of the greatest skippers:

Great historic skippers:

• Éric Tabarly (1931–1998): the absolute legend – the 1964 English Transat aboard Pen Duick II, a revolutionary victory (27 days 3 h 56) with more than 3 days’ lead

• Olivier de Kersauson: an emblematic figure of offshore racing, trained by Tabarly

• Loïc Caradec: a sailing-race legend, trained by Tabarly

• Eugène Riguidel: a pioneer of ocean sailing

Current champions:

• Thomas Coville: skipper of the trimaran Sodebo Ultim’ 3, Atlantic records, ahead of the pace in the 2020 Jules Verne Trophy

• Francis Joyon: holder of the Jules Verne Trophy record (40 days 23 h 30 min 30 s in 2017 aboard IDEC Sport), Route du Rhum champion

• Alexia Barrier: 100% female crew, IDEC SPORT, the first all-female attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy

The maxi-trimarans – Formula 1 of the sea

Home port of the technological giants:

Vessels moored at La Trinité:

• ✅ Sodebo Ultim’ 3: 32-metre trimaran, skipper Thomas Coville

• ✅ IDEC SPORT: formerly Groupama 3, Alexia Barrier’s 100% female crew project

• ✅ New Ultim’ 32s: latest-generation trimarans

Maxi-trimaran characteristics:

• Length: 31–32 metres (105 feet)

• Beam: 22–23 metres between floats

• Weight: light (carbon composite)

• Technology: foils (lifting wings), triple rudders, wide cockpits

• Performance: average speeds of 30+ knots, peaks of 35+ knots

• Role: ocean records, Jules Verne Trophy, Route du Rhum

🎭 Major nautical events – La Trinité

Spi Ouest-France – every Easter weekend

THE largest regatta for cruising yachts in Europe:

Key facts:

• Every year over the Easter weekend (4 days)

• Held every year since 1979

• An unshakeable tradition: an institution every sailor should have on their CV

Exceptional scale:

• 400–450 boats taking part

• 2,000+ sailors present

• 200 volunteers mobilised

• 5 race courses running simultaneously

• 5 classes: one-designs, sportboats, Mini 6.50, multihulls, IRC/Osiris cruisers, Handi-voile

Spirit of the regatta:

• Amateurs & professionals side by side

• Monohulls & multihulls in competition

• Conviviality & competition combined

• Technical innovation: boatyards test their prototypes

Accompanying festival:

• Village Spi: entertainment, concerts, meet the skippers

• Crews’ Mass: a Breton tradition

• Grand Sail Parade: a spectacular outing of the fleet

• Games & leisure: introduction to sailing knots, digital magnifier

Registration:

• Opens: traditionally at the Nautic boat show (December)

• Crew exchange: find a skipper or a boat

• Reputation: a major fixture on the international IRC calendar

Other nautical events

A dynamic calendar:

• ✅ ArMen Race Uship: starts from La Trinité

• ✅ Trophée des Multicoques: late August, multihull competition

• ✅ Tour de Belle-Île: coastal raid across the bay

• ✅ Drheam Cup: recurring competition

🏝️ Panoramas & points of interest around the harbour

Kerisper bridge – the emblematic panoramic view

An iconic viewpoint overlooking harbour & river:

Characteristics:

• Type: metal viaduct spanning the river

• Original construction: 1901 by Gustave Eiffel

• Destroyed: 8 August 1944 by the Germans (WWII)

• Rebuilt: 1956–1958 (2 years of work)

• Arch height: 86 metres

• Length: 203 metres

• Spectacular view: 180° over harbour & river

A unique panorama:

• ✅ To the east: the marina, the forest of masts, the Sodebo & IDEC maxi-trimarans

• ✅ To the west: the Crac’h river, oyster beds, ria vegetation

• ✅ Striking contrast: modern harbour versus traditional nature

Ideal photo: sunset from the bridge with the boats backlit

Quays of the old harbour – a typically Breton atmosphere

A picturesque stroll among legendary boats:

• ✅ A permanent spectacle: racing boats of every type

• ✅ Shrouds in the wind: authentic maritime sounds

• ✅ Café terraces: relax with a view of the harbour

• ✅ Official harbour office: access information

Notable spots:

• Môle Loïc Caradec: where the Sodebo & IDEC maxi-trimarans are berthed

• Historic old pier: the authentic heart of the harbour

• Môle Éric Tabarly: tribute to the legend, sailing school

Crac’h river – a remarkable estuary

A preserved ria rich in natural treasures:

Characteristics:

• Type: little-known coastal estuary

• Landscape: stone cliffs, isolated chapels, manor houses with hydrangeas

• Length: approximately 10 km navigable

• Biodiversity: aquatic flora, coastal birdlife

Oyster farming:

• Oyster beds: traditional producers for generations

• Huîtres de Kermancy: a producer of 60+ years at the foot of the Kerisper bridge

• Tastings: directly at the hut on the water

• Tradition: preserved Breton know-how

📋 Practical information

Access & parking

• 🚗 D768 road: the only road access, via the Kerisper bridge

• 🚗 Harbour parking: several parking areas

• 🚗 Distance from Carnac: 3 km, 5–10 minutes by car

• 🚗 High season: very busy from Easter to August

Opening hours & access to the quays

• ⏰ Public quays: free access 24 hours a day

• ⏰ Harbour office: 9 am – 12 pm & 2 pm – 5 pm depending on the season

• ⏰ Restaurants/cafés: approximately 11 am – 11 pm

• ⏰ Shops: 10 am – 7 pm

Amenities

• ✅ Restaurants & cafés: terraces on the quays

• ✅ Public toilets: at the harbour office & on the quays

• ✅ Water & supplies: via the boatyards

• ✅ Chandleries: sailing equipment

Walks

• 🚶 Sentier des Douaniers: long coastal path

• 🚶 Marsh loop: 8 km La Trinité – Carnac

• 🚶 Crac’h river: riverside paths

🏕️ From Camping Les Druides

Very easy access to La Trinité harbour:

• ✅ Distance: 3 km

• ✅ Easy road: 3 km, 5–10 minutes by car

• ✅ Free parking: close to the harbour

• ✅ Heated pool: afternoon relaxation

• ✅ Le Carpe Diem bar: recovery after the outing

The perfect day out:

• Morning: a stroll along the harbour quays to see the maxi-trimarans

• Lunch: a café terrace on the quay with a view of the boats

• Afternoon: relaxation by the campsite pool

Practical tips:

• Windbreaker recommended: ocean exposure and coastal wind

• Ideal photo: sunset or sunrise from the Kerisper bridge with the boats backlit

• Season: spring & summer are ideal

• Calendar: Spi Ouest-France, every Easter weekend – an unmissable spectacle

✨ In short

The harbour of La Trinité-sur-Mer embodies the grandeur of world sailing & the authentic beauty of coastal Brittany. Between its forest of colourful masts, the high-tech maxi-trimarans Sodebo Ultim’ 3 & IDEC Sport, the legendary Spi Ouest-France regatta held since 1979, the views over the Crac’h river and the authentic atmosphere of the quays, this place offers an incomparable nautical experience.

A harbour steeped in the heritage of legends: Éric Tabarly (the 1964 Transat revolution), Olivier de Kersauson, Loïc Caradec, and today’s champions Thomas Coville, Francis Joyon (Jules Verne record, 40 days 23 h 30 min) and Alexia Barrier (first all-female attempt, 2025). The iconic Kerisper bridge: Eiffel 1901, bombed 1944, rebuilt 1956, with its emblematic 180° view. The picturesque quays of the old harbour, shrouds in the wind and café terraces. The Crac’h river, a 10 km navigable ria estuary with the Kermancy oyster beds and their Breton tradition.

From Camping Les Druides, 3 km away, discover the beating heart of Breton sailing, where legend & innovation come together.

📞 Contacts & information

La Trinité-sur-Mer harbour: a freely accessible public facility.

For practical information – regatta calendar, events, access to the quays – contact the organisations below.

Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer (SNT)

Website: www.snt-voile.org
Telephone: +33 2 97 55 73 48
Address: Môle Éric Tabarly, 56470 La Trinité-sur-Mer

Services:

• Calendar of regattas & nautical events

• Information on the Spi Ouest-France (Easter weekend)

• ArMen Race, Trophée des Multicoques, Tour de Belle-Île

• Public quays accessible 24 hours a day, harbour office 9 am – 5 pm

• Sailing school, navigation courses, boat hire

Spi Ouest-France – official information

Website: www.spi.ouest-france.fr
Registration: opens in December (Nautic boat show, Paris)

Every year:

• Dates: the Easter weekend, from Thursday to Monday

• Participants: 400–450 boats, 2,000+ sailors

• Classes: one-designs, sportboats, Mini 6.50, multihulls, IRC/Osiris, Handi-voile

• Festival: Village Spi, entertainment, concerts, sail parade

• Crew exchange: find a skipper or a boat

Quiberon Bay tourist office

Address: 14 rue de Verdun, 56170 Quiberon
Telephone: +33 2 97 50 07 84
Website: www.baiedequiberon.bzh

Services: harbour information, nautical events, restaurants, accommodation

Huîtres de Kermancy – tastings

Location: at the foot of the Kerisper bridge, Crac’h river
Services: oyster tastings at the hut on the water, a producer with 60+ years of Breton tradition

Camping Les Druides

Address: 55 Chemin de Beaumer, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com/en
Distance: 3 km from La Trinité harbour

Services: information on La Trinité harbour, heated pool, Le Carpe Diem bar (6 pm, guests), walking advice