Cruiser Rally to France (Brighton Dieppe Fécamp Le Havre) Provisional
Rally to France ( Brighton Dieppe Fécamp Le Havre )
Join us for a relaxed Spring cruise across the Channel, taking in some of the best sailing and shore-side experiences on the south coast and Normandy. This trip is suitable for skippers and crew who are comfortable with coastal passages, and it is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has not crossed the Channel before to do so in company.
Dieppe is a recognised Port of Entry and remains the simplest place for our arrival into France. Skippers must submit the PAF arrival form in advance (ideally 2448 hours before arrival). Last season, PAF officers visited the marina twice daily to check passports and paperwork, but procedures can vary, so please confirm current arrangements with the marina office on arrival.
For onward legs, Fécamp and Le Havre both remain authorised under the French "Plaisance Ports of Call" protocol for UK pleasure craft, meaning you may complete exit formalities from either port as long as the correct departure form is emailed in advance.
ETIAS (the EU travel authorisation system) is not yet in force and is currently expected to begin in mid-2026, so no visa waiver is required for this trip. The EES biometric border-entry system is scheduled to start later this year, but as of Spring 2025 it is not active for small-craft arrivals. Passport stamping therefore continues as normal.
There is a presentation on the website which was given for a previous years Cherbourg Rally which is still 99% current and is worth reading if you have not done the crossing before (or even if you have). It can be Downloaded by clicking here: ECA/TISC Cross Channel Presentation. You will need to be logged in to access it. This gives lots of useful information (but please see the disclaimer).
Outline Plan:
- Sat 23 May 2026 : Sail from TISC to Brighton.
- Sun 24: Day in Brighton chance to explore the Brighton Fringe and enjoy the city.
- Mon 25: Passage from Brighton to Dieppe (Channel crossing).
- Tue 26: Day in Dieppe explore the town, rest, or provision.
- Wed 27: Sail from Dieppe to Fécamp (shorter coastal hop).
- Thu 28: Day in Fécamp beaches, museums, distillery visit, or just relax.
- Fri 29: Passage from Fécamp to Le Havre.
- Sat 30: Day in Le Havre explore the UNESCO-listed city.
- Sun 31: Final passage Le Havre back to TISC.
This plan is provisional - It gives us the time and flexibility to adjust passages or skip a planned stop if conditions require it.
Participating Skippers, and crew attending, are reminded that full responsibility for sea worthiness of boats and experience of crew attending is held with the skipper of the boat sailing to the rally. All information given should be checked before setting out.
Rally Organiser : Giles Tewkesbury
email: cruiser.events@tisc.org.uk
