Paimpol Maritime Festival & French Coast Sailing

your Sailing Area

Falmouth – Paimpol – Falmouth

Join traditional pilot cutter Pellew as she prepares to sail from Falmouth, Cornwall, to the bi-annual Paimpol Maritime Festival on the coast of France. Join her for 10 days of exhilarating sailing, music and merriment as she sails from one Celtic coast to another.The

The small town Paimpol is a traditional French harbour situated in the Gulf of St. Malo. This is a beautiful coastline with several opportunities for anchoring before you reach the festival. With this being a maritime festival, once you reach the shores of France, you will more and more frequently spot fellow traditional wooden ship and working vessels heading in the same direction – all towards Paimpol.

Paimpol Maritime Festival is a bi-annual event held in the traditional French harbour town of Paimpol. This lively festival celebrates the town’s seafaring heritage with energetic maritime music, classic wooden vessels, brass bands, and lively dancing. The festival atmosphere is electric, drawing in thousands of visitors to enjoy the celebrations.

On reaching Paimpol, Pellew will navigate her way into the small harbour over mudflats and oyster beds, accompanied by many other ships travelling almost nose to tail in the small channel. This is where the festival’s atmosphere really begins as thousands of people line the harbour wall waiting to watch the spectacle and welcome all the vessels to the town.

Once moored up alongside other traditional ships or working vessels, your time is your own. Relax on deck, head ashore with fellow seafarers or visit other boats before immersing yourself in the history and tradition of Paimpol Festival. The town was once home to a large fleet of fishing vessels that would sail across the Atlantic, fishing the deep seas. The maritime music festival celebrates the town’s seafaring traditions with energetic dancing, classic wooden vessels, brass bands, and the occasional sax to lift the mood and remind the festival-goers that this is a celebration of maritime culture.

The town itself has plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy (although, of course, all main meals will be provided on board if you prefer), and the atmosphere is electric during the three-day festival. This voyage is a bucket list adventure; maritime music festivals have energy like nothing else, and the channel crossing is an adventure in itself.

After the festival has ended, your holiday onboard is certainly not over as we continue to explore the French coast. The itinerary will not be known closer to the time as it will entirely depend on the tides and weather, but rest assured, the skipper has spent many years exploring this coast, so he knows the best spots well!

All voyages for Pellew

Pellew

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Pilot Cutter

Pellew is a faithful recreation of the Falmouth Pilot Cutter Vincent, originally built in 1852 and based in St Mawes she was a familiar sight on the Fal estuary for 70 years, eventually retiring from service in 1922. Today, the spirit of tradition lives on and Pellew is strongly built to sail the oceans of the world with her guests travelling in utmost comfort and safety.

Originally designed and built for speed and seaworthiness, these sturdy vessels would carry pilots out to sea, meeting ocean-going ships arriving with cargos bound for Europe. Whatever the weather and however rough the seas these courageous cutters were an integral part of maritime life in the south-west of England.

With her vast sail plan, think fast, invigorating sailing with the lee rail kissing the waves, Pellew is certainly not for the faint-hearted. So if you are looking for that next adventure at sea on a beautifully powerful wooden vessel, then Pellew is the boat for you.

Below decks

You are welcomed into a cosy saloon with cushioned seating around a large table and a generous galley. Delectable home-cooked meals will be freshly-prepared on board by our dedicated cook using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The 8 guest berths are arranged around an open-plan cabin with a shower and two toilets for guest use.

She is oak framed throughout and planked with locally sourced Douglas fir mast and spars. Although she is tiller steered, she does have two large electric capstan winches to help get the sails up and in. Guests are welcomed and invited to get involved in the sailing of Pellew. In fact, it will be hard not to want to feel first hand, the power of this beautiful boat as glides seemingly effortlessly through the water.

She will usually sail with a skipper, mate and dedicated cook, with a fourth crew member joining for longer voyages. She will be spending her sailing season exploring the coasts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Channel Islands, the Breton Coast and exploring the majestic isles of the Scottish Hebrides.

Life on board Pellew

Pellew is one of the fastest pilot cutters of her time, so a lust for adventure is certainly a must, and sailing with her is not for the faint-hearted! You don’t need any experience to join her as the friendly and professional crew are always on hand to show you the ropes.

You’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals and the crew love to share their knowledge with guests, showing them the ropes and feeling the wind power in the sails. They welcome as much or as little participation as you want – from pulling up sails, sheeting in and steering, and even navigation.

A typical Day

After breakfast, Pellew usually sets sail for a day on the water, with the aim of reaching a new destination by evening. We enjoy exploring hidden coves and tranquil anchorages where we can spend the afternoon ashore and the night under the stars while enjoying our freshly cooked dinner. All meals will be freshly prepared onboard by a dedicated cook to the highest standards. Guests can expect mouth-watering breakfasts, freshly baked bread, delectable lunches and dinners, and an abundance of homemade cake!

Sleeping and Relaxation

As you step into the main saloon, you’ll be greeted by a cosy and sociable space with cushioned seating around a large table next to a well-equipped galley. The wooden finish of the interior adds to its traditional charm and makes it feel like a warm and inviting space.

Moving towards the fore of the boat, you’ll find an open-plan cabin with eight guest berths arranged in twin bunk beds. The boat features a generously sized shower room and two toilets exclusively for guest use, ensuring that everyone on board has access to the necessary facilities.

Things to note

Sailing vs Shoretime

Night watches?

Kit list

Pellew has limited space for possessions so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid cases – please bring your items in a soft bag.

We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy drying layers. Below is list of recommended items, these are not mandatory and those that have sailed before may have their own preferences!

• Fingerless gloves for hoisting sails (sailing or cycling are best)
• Walking boots/shoes for onshore & light shoes/trainers (with good grip)
• Wash towel – micro fibre are lightweight and quick drying!
• Swimsuit and swim towel
• Lightweight, quick-dry clothes (base layers, fleece and synthetic tops are both lightweight and quick-drying!)

It can be quite a few degrees colder out at sea so please bring lots of layers even if the forecast seems like a warm week!

• Warm, windproof and waterproof coat 
• Waterproof trousers
• Waterproof boots or clean wellington boots 

• Sun cream (please use reef safe, eco products where possible)
• Sunglasses and a warm hat/cap
• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Camera/binoculars 
• Personal wash kit (please use reef safe, eco products where possible)
• Charging cables for personal devices (there are 12v USB sockets to charge devices in each bunk)
• A good book to read!
• We advise sleep masks and/or ear plugs!
• Consider a small backpack/bag for onshore exploring

Sample Menu for Pellew

All food is made on board (including soda & focaccia bread when we can’t get artisan loaves!), and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list. 

Breakfast

• Fresh fruit bowls
• Yoghurt, muesli & granola
• Artisan or home-made bread & jams
• Cooked breakfast (approx twice on a week-long trip!)

Elevenses/Afternoon Cake

• Tea, coffee, home-made cakes, biscuit, flapjack

Lunch

• Home-made soup, bread and local cheeses
• Risotto and fresh salad
• Home-made savoury tarts and fresh salad

Dinner

• Appetisers; usually a combination of olives, home-made pate and toast, anti-pasti, hummus, crudites and baked camembert
• Greek style roast lamb with cous cous. (V) option; stuffed peppers
• Spanish fish soup with garlic bread

Dessert

• Tiramisu
• Home-made meringue with boozy berries
• Chocolate brownies and clotted cream

There is also a huge fruit bowl that guests can help themselves to throughout the voyage!

What’s included 

• Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet)
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• There are off-shore jackets available for guests when sailing but please bring your own waterproof for time ashore.

What’s not included

• Wash and/or swim towel
• Alcohol
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please!

• Are there any added extras?

  There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Shared quarters, 8 berths in the open fore cabin with easy access to a toilet

• Is there a porthole in my berth?

  There are deck hatches in the fore cabin.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  2 toilets, 1 shower for guests.

• Are bedding and towels provided?

  All bedding is provided but please bring your own towels. Micro-fibres are a great lightweight, quick-drying alternative.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Pellew does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English.

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern tech and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, each bunk has a 12v USB charging port.

• What is the currency on board?

  GBP - pounds sterling.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Pellew is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up and over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  There are off-shore jackets available for guests when sailing but please bring your own waterproof for time ashore.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and a want to get actively involved.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  No.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is there an age limit?

  Preferably over 12's accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio but please check with us in the office as each voyage is different.

Travel Planning

From: Falmouth

To: Falmouth

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

GETTING THERE

Falmouth, Cornwall

PARKING

You can leave your car at any Long Stay car park with a weekly or overnight ticket. You can pay using the JustPark app on your phone which can be easier. Try Church Street TR11 3RQ or The Dell TR11 3HP.

BY RAIL

There are direct trains with Great Western Railway to Truro from starting routes of Plymouth, Exeter St Davids, Cardiff Central and London Paddington. Once at Truro station you will need to change onto the Maritime line to Falmouth Town Station.

BY AIR

The quickest way into the county during the spring/summer months, Newquay Airport requires taking either a taxi to Truro Train Station for the onward rail travel, or a taxi direct to Falmouth.

STAY IN FALMOUTH

There are plenty of places to stay in Falmouth. Try The Chain Locker, Cutty Sark Inn or Seaview Inn.