Life On Sail

With perfect weather and just the right wind at our backs, we set sail for Bandol the 4th largest yatching marina in the Mediterranean, a charming coastal town only 8 nautical miles from our starting point. The short distance promised a quick and enjoyable trip, and the Mediterranean sparkled under a clear sky, inviting us to savor every moment on the water. For this leg, we opted to hoist only the genoa, the boat’s large foresail, which caught the breeze beautifully. We hit a thrilling peak speed of 8 knots, slicing through the gentle waves with ease. The entire journey took just 1 hour and 26 minutes, a testament to the ideal conditions and our crew’s growing confidence. It was one of those sails where everything felt effortless, and the sea seemed to be on our side. Nico’s dad joined us for the trip, his enthusiasm for sailing as infectious as ever. Meanwhile, Nico’s mom, still wary of the sea after our choppy lunch in the creek, chose to stay behind at their camper van in La Ciotat...

Before arriving in La Ciotat, we set sail for one of the stunning Calanques along the Mediterranean coast, as the journey was a short and scenic cruise. The Calanques, dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters, are a hallmark of this region between Marseille and Cassis, offering sheltered coves perfect for boating and exploration. Nico’s dad joined us for the trip, his enthusiasm for sailing evident in his wide grin as he took the helm. He’s a true sea lover, unlike Nico’s mom, who prefers the comforts of solid ground.  She opted to stay back in La Ciotat, likely enjoying the charming seaside town’s markets or a leisurely coffee at a café along the harbor. Our first stop was a breathtaking Calanque, its secluded creek providing calm waters and a serene backdrop for lunch.  While anchored there, we took the opportunity to perform the "Macoui" ceremony, a lighthearted yet meaningful tradition to mark the renaming of our boat. According to maritime folklore, renam...

A Family Reunion in Marseille and a Sail to Frioul Our next adventure began in Marseille, where we picked up our son at the bustling Marseille-Saint-Charles train station. His arrival brought a fresh wave of excitement to the crew, and we couldn’t wait to show him the vibrant city before continuing our journey. With a few hours to spare, we strolled through the iconic Vieux Port, Marseille’s historic heart, where fishing boats bobbed alongside sleek yachts. We marveled at the imposing Fort Saint-Jean, its ancient stone walls guarding the harbor’s entrance, and soaked in the lively atmosphere of street performers and seafood vendors. It was the perfect way to kick off our family reunion. From the Vieux Port, we set sail for the Frioul Archipelago, a cluster of rugged islands just a short distance offshore. The journey took about two hours, though we could have made it faster. Nico, eager to share his love of sailing with his son, let him take the wheel for much of the trip, guiding him ...

 We left Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer early, before sunrise, knowing it would be a long journey.  With no wind and a greater distance to cover, we relied on the engine most of the time. The sea was so calm that we could see our reflection as we glided across its glassy surface. We spotted three dolphins. The trip was long but peaceful. Nico worked on some boat repairs and did a bit of cleaning. I played with my 360 camera and read. Moitessier’s sailing story is captivating, and I’m really enjoying it. I practiced some maneuvers today, including furling the sails. I made hot chocolate while we were cruising—a first! We also moored successfully for the first time. There was absolutely no one at this creek. It's not the most beautiful one, on the side were towering industrial structures.  But we felt alone in the world.  Nico set an alarm on the ipad for the mooring, in case we we would drift during the night.  He woke up during the night several times... Nothing happe...

 We had planned to sail to Aigues-Mortes today and moor in a nearby creek, but the weather was poor, with some rain. Instead, we decided to head closer to Marseille by the end of the week. Given the weather, we opted for a longer sail of 5 hours to reach Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, covering 23 nautical miles at an average cruising speed of 4.5 knots. We arrived at 6:30 PM and explored the town before dinner. The next day we went for a e-scooter ride and a horse ride, a must in Camargue to see wild bulls and flamingos. 

 We were supposed to leave at 9 am sharp.  Christelle was ready. But at the last minute, after checking the weather forecast, we decided to leave at 1 pm in order to catch a better wind.  We went to visit the nearby island of Maguelone and its church and vineyards.  A little summary of our stay at Palavas and Maguelone: We went back to the boat for a sandwich and left straight away for our next destination.  We left Palavas after lunch, waiting for the wind to turn. And it turned out perfect. We cruised at 4.4 knots with a perfect tailwind that allowed us to go in a straight line to Port Camargue which is the largest marina in Europe. The sailing time is 2 hours which felt too short for Chrystelle who sailed with us today. ! When we arrived Port Camargue, Cédric also came to say hello! It was really great to have people with us today!!! Felt like a short day! And despite Port Camargue being the biggest marina in Europe with its 5000 berths, we didn't stay more...

Our best sailing experience so far was the trip to Palavas-les-Flots. We left Sète in the morning, just as we did for the Cap d’Agde to Sète leg, covering 15 nautical miles. Unlike the 4-hour-30-minute journey last time, we had a beautiful tailwind, so we didn’t need to tack (which spared me some trouble).  It took only 2 hours and 46 minutes to arrive. However, when we got there, the harbor master didn’t respond to our VHF call, so we weren’t sure where to moor. We docked at a jetty that was too short, and it took 3–4 attempts to park properly. Eventually, we were assigned a spot, but it was far too big. We tried the first spot, but the mooring lines weren’t long enough to secure the boat. Then we moved to a second spot and finally managed to moor. It was a frustrating process. Once settled, we took the scooters out and explored the charming resort of Palavas. It was crowded since it was a sunny Sunday. We also visited the laundromat. It was a short day.