Lyvet - Chatelier lock

Port of Lyvet - with lock at top of picture - picture by marine.com

The visitors pontoon is pontoon D. There are no signs on the end of the pontoons, only land side, so that is not much use.
Also - the bottom pontoon in the photo above does not have a letter, so Pontoon D is the 2nd from the top! i.e. the 2nd one when you come out of the lock.

This is the passage to the lock shown at low tide. Holding area is the pool at the front of the photo

Looking down the Rance at low tide. Keep between the poles!

The passage is narrow but well marked. The strange structures are for fishing.

It is well marked


The Chatelier lock


Chatelier lock opening - note holding area and bridge swivelling

Stan says "The marina at Le Chatelier (actually called Lyvet) is not restricted by length but by draft. If you draw more than 1.7m you can't get through the lock and there are shallow parts all along. To get to Dinan you MUST draw less than 1.5m."


When they let the water in, there is quite a bit of turbulence so be prepared


When it is full, peace is restored. Note Lyvet "marina" on the left as you exit the lock

The office at Lyvet is good and the facilities are clean. There are a couple of showers and a couple of toilets and that is it.


The marina office is on the left and the facilities on the right.

Phil says "Just in case this might put people off venturing up the Rance we made it to Lyvet and through the lock in a Maxi 1050 which draws 1.85m with some friends in a Moody 40 which draws 1.87m. Neither of us had any problem passing through the lock itself (although both boats were too busy to have looked at the depth guage) but both touched as we approached the lock but on a rising 'tide'. Should be OK of you stay to the outside of the corners where the water is deepest.

As far as the actual Marina goes - we rafted up on the second hammer head and, again, found ourselves touching but friends on the first hammer head reported more water.

I've tried to find someway of providing you with some verification of the minimum depth in the lock - my old North Brittany & C I Pilot says 'you can phone Chatelier on 02.96.39.55.66'.

Finally, Lyvet - we were delayed going both ways through the lock by over an hour by a Vedette and a bunch of kayackers so don't bank on going through when you plan to."

Important information
http://port.lyvet.free.fr/
Contact information portdelyvet at orange.fr
http://www.bretagne-info-nautisme.fr/Le-Lyvet.html?lang=en&retour=back

Lock Chatelier's
It operates from 6am to 21H, only if the reading at Saint Suliac is equal or more than 8.50 m.
We can not know the opening hours of the lock 48 hours in advance except for the weekends when the information is only available on Friday afternoon.
The opening hours are obtained by phone by calling the lock 02 96 39 55 66.
The lock operates on demand. No VHF channel is reserved for the lock although Channel 14 was mentioned - but we received no response.

http://marinas.com/view/marina/10934_Port_of_Lyvet_Marina_Brittany

An interesting if long article with lots of pictures
http://www.thefullicks.co.uk/page_1214926603843.html

A site that looks like it is being developed
http://lavicomtesurrance.free.fr/indexgb.html

Contact information - http://www.bretagne-info-nautisme.fr/Le-Lyvet.html?lang=en&retour=back

Restaurants
L'EFFET MER, 9 rue du Port. Tel: +33 (2) 96 83 21 10. Good restaurant, reasonably priced, and conveniently close to the Marina. Reservations advisable. English spealing proprietor. Thanks Phil

L'Effet Mer, good menu, very nice omelettes at lunch time (Sept 2010), helpful English speaking staff

Le Saint Patrick - Bar, restaurants and does take away Pizzas. Reported as being good (2011) - Jean & Mike. Not always open.

Le Saint Patrick located by the bridge

Boulangerie
The town of Lyvet is a good 20 mins walk along the main road up a long hill.

The boulangerie is 20 mins walk up a hill and was closed in September!

Le Maltess
A passenger boat departs from Lyvet and travels to Dinan. Has a restaurant on board. see http://www.lemaltess.com