The marinas so far, an overview
If you want to find out the best approaches to a marina, the VHF channel to call or the access times you can find all these in your almanac. These are my subjective impressions.
So far, we have been to 3 marinas: Brighton, Honfleur and Rouen
I will rate each on the shower/toilet facilities (specifically the ladies if separate), the proximity to things and any issues to be aware of.
Brighton
Amenities: Brighton's showers are lovely! The marina has an east and west quay, plus moorings on the inner lock. The quays each have a unisex shower block...but don't worry. The blocks have separate bathroom cubicles with toilet, shower and basin plus a couple of hooks and a hand dryer. The only downside is that such a gorgeous sandstone, dark wood and chrome bathroom raises your expectations (it even has heated floors!) so the fact that the water pressure can sometimes be a bit less than I personally would like it feels like a disappointment.
There are hairdryers in the lobby area, unfortunately no plugs if you need to use hair straighteners, stylers etc. Both shower blocks are kept spotless, the cleaning ladies work constantly throughout the day and in the nine months we were there I only saw maybe 2 toilets which weren't gleaming.
Access is via key fob (same fob as for entry to the pontoon). The blocks are open 24/7 as the cleaning is constant, not just an hour a day. The only downside is that if you are moored in the inner harbour it's a five minute walk to go for a poo.
There is a laundrette with a couple of washing machines and dryers, you pay with your bank card. There is no laundry sink so if you need to wash smalls you have to do it in the shower cubicle basin.
Red diesel is available at the fuel dock.
Proximity to town: There is a big Asda right next to the marina, it's not open 24/7 but has long opening hours. It sells clothes and household goods as well as food, but it's an Asda so not very exciting. There is also an Asda garage on site, cheapish fuel. If you need to buy it for your boat you may need a trolley to carry it back to the pontoon.
There is a chandlery, a Volvo dealer and a boatyard within the marina complex.
The marina complex itself has lots of chain restaurants right next to it: Weatherspoons, 5 Guys, Prezzo, Nandos etc so very convenient if you're starving and want something familiar. There is a McDonalds, a casino and a cinema next door too.
Brighton itself is a half hour walk (around 2-3 km) or a short bus ride. The bus station is next to McDonalds and the service is frequent. You tap in and out with your card when you board/leave the bus. If you are there long term you can buy discounted tickets. Brighton is a lovely place for a wander.
Marina office, boatyard and staff: all very friendly and extremely helpful.
Overall impression: a lot of people are very sniffy about Brighton Marina as access is limited due to silting and the approach isn't very good, but once you're inside it has a lot to recommend it. Once you moor you can have a very civilised shower then you have lots of restaurants on your doorstep and can reprovision with minimal fuss. We spent the best part of 9 months here and it's hard to fault.
Honfleur
Amenities: We moored on the visitors' dock so I can't speak for any other facilities which may be on site.
You walk up the mooring to a keypad controlled gate onto the street. THE ENTRY CODE IS WRITTEN ON A SMALL SIGN ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE GATE, JUST BELOW WAIST HEIGHT. I'm writing this big because if you've just had a 15 hour sail from the UK you may be tired. We were and we didn't notice it, necessitating a vault over the gate to get back in (not me vaulting I hasten to add).
The shower block is very close, in a blue and white striped building. You are given the code for this when you pay your mooring fees. There is one block for both men and women, but the ladies' facilities are on the left and the mens' on the right. There are two showers, a toilet and hand basins. There is no natural light and it's a bit gloomy, grey tiles, grey doors, and the shower is operated by a push button. Not a great prospect but the water pressure is fantastic and the temperature can be controlled just how you like. It's spotlessly clean, lots of notices in French and English telling you to leave it like you found it. The only slightly disturbing one was the one saying not to use the shower as a toilet.....
There are no hairdryers but I spotted a plug socket next to the light switch. I didn't see a laundry but we were only there 2 nights and there is one in town next to the small supermarket.
Overall, the facilities promise little but are a very pleasant surprise.
The only downside: the facilities close for 'cleaning' between 9pm and 7am. I know they were spotless but this feels a bit excessive, especially if you are leaving early.
Proximity to town: once you exit the pontoon you are in town and next to an absolutely beautiful park. There is a cobbled pedestrianised area with restaurants and as you go further in you'll find a small supermarket and local shops. There is a cinema but we didn't go in.
There is a big LeClerc hypermarket just out of town, half an hours walk alongside a busy main road, with a Lidl along the way plus smaller shops including discount marine clothing stores. There's a McDonalds nearby too. It's not a very nice walk but it's doable.
The town itself is absolutely delightful.
There is a bus station within 10 minutes walk with buses to nearby towns including Le Havre.
Marina office, boatyard and staff: we didn't see a boatyard but the people at the marina office were very friendly and extremely helpful.
Overall impression: it was lovely to be right in the centre of town and you can get everything you need for a couple of nights. As you have to lock into the marina it is quiet, though there is passing traffic from river cruise boats and fishing boats. There wasn't as much annoying wash from them as we expected. Definitely worth a visit.
Rouen
Amenities: Entry to the block is via key fob, given when you pay for the mooring. The guy in the office told me they'd run out and asked if I could use the shower/toilet on our boat. I said no, so he made one specially for me (I had my intimidating 'middle aged woman who is trying to be nice but not taking no for an answer' look).
There are 2 or 3 showers and toilets, no hairdryers. The blocks are clean but when I went for a shower two of the cubicles had loads of pubes in the tray. I don't know if they are always like this or I was just unlucky. The third was spotless. The showers are controlled by a pushbutton which you need to keep on pressing repeatedly. There is no shelf to put your clothing etc but there are hangers so I hung up my bag with everything in it so that it wasn't covered in spray from the shower.
There is a laundry right next to the shower area.
There are no hairdryers. I haven't investigated whether there is an electrical socket but will update.
There is a fuel pontoon and pump out station.
Proximity to town: the marina isn't in the main town. It's quite isolated and industrial, with a busy road very nearby. To reach town you have a 15-20 minute walk which brings you to a shopping/leisure complex with a choice of restaurants and a small Carrefour supermarket.
The bus station is near this complex and a ticket costs €1.70 from a machine. This is valid for an hour on bus and metro. The town is well worth exploring.
Marina office, boatyard and staff: The marina staff are extremely helpful and speak English. Hardly anyone at the boatyard speaks English but they are polite and pleasant. The main blog will have more about this.
Overall impression: Rouen Marina feels like a stopover rather than a destination. Facilities are fine but it is isolated from anywhere else and not very scenic, very industrialised. The sort of place that makes you anticipate the next step of your journey.