Diving in France

[shearwater]

Hi

I am currently in France for work for one year and would really like to go spearfishing in France south or west. I brought all my diving stuff with and speak a bit of french, afrikaans and obviously english.

I have been spearfishing in Cape Town, South Africa for several years now.

Thanks
Innes van der Vyver

 

[trux]

Hi Innes,

Where exactly are you staying in France? There are spearfishing and freediving clubs in every bigger town in France (even in inland), so the best would be joining one. You can also post on French spearfishing forums, such as for example at SpearBoy.com - they can recommend you some good spots, and you can certainly find some buddies easier there than here.

 

[shearwater]

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I am currently in Paris unitl January 2008. Hope to take some leave between june to august.

Thanks
Innes

 

[trux]

Well, there are many spearfishing clubs in Paris. Look for example at the following list (though there may be even more than that):

Clubs d'apnée à Paris

 

[Old Man Dave]

There's a great DVD about some french guy (I'm hopeless with names) who spears the Normandy wrecks. Looks deep but he makes fantastic catches of huge bass, cod and pollack. Also a good DVD of JB Escalapez, Frenchman, gear manufacturer and ex world champ who dives off the west coast and makes good catches.

We in the Channel Islands are only 10 to 20 miles off the french coast and have similar conditions to there.

Despite those DVD's the french coast is very heavily fished and I'm led to believe it's not easy to catch fish.

Let us know how you get on. At least you've left the great whites behind.

Dave

 

[Ted Budion]

You need a license too. Most of spearos based in Paris dive in the Normandy and the Cotêntin peninsula, where their primary target are [European] bass (bar), pollack (lieu jaune), and [rare] cod. But also wrasse (vieille), conger eel and mullet. By all means contact the FNPSA at Chasse sous-marine : FNPSA. A very comprehensive site with all the info you need. All the goods guy are there. Their email is info@fnpsa.net.

Update: the Île de France (Paris region) FNPSA committe prez is Pierra Guera at pierre.guera@free.fr

 

[shearwater]

Hi Ted and Dave ,

Thanks for your usefull information>

Cheers
Innes

 

[Virgili]

Normandy is 2 hours from Paris, I suggest this nice website (french/ english):
http://vendredi.homelinux.net/index_en.html

 

[gman080788]

Greetings from Detroit Im going to be in Genova IT for the next year studying and I would like to do some spearfishing off the coast there and from what i have heard Its good Octopus and Grouper hunting grounds and it is only 30 min by train from the southern france border Any ways I need a buddy to go with and if ur interested in going and need a buddy too maybe we could meet up.
thanks let me Garry

 

[shearwater]

Hi Gary ,

I am going to tour through Spain and Portugal from 15 June until 30 June.

After that I must work a little and then in the later part of August I am going camping on Corsica in the Meditiranion. I hope to do some snorkelling there as I believe spearfishing is forbidden. May'be on my way back around the 25,26 August we can make a plan. If not then, definitely in October or November. It will need some planning from my side as Paris is a bit more to the north of France.

My E mail is; innesvdvyver@yahoo.com
Send me a mail and I can give you my portable number.

Thanks
Innes

 

[gman080788]

ok man sounds like a plan to me ...do you mind just sendng me a private message on here with your info? my email is acting up ... I wont be in genoa untill the 19th of this month anyways... have a good time in spain and portugal and corsica if there is anything exceptional be sure to let me know...
thanks Garry

 

[trux]

... I am going camping on Corsica in the Meditiranion. I hope to do some snorkelling there as I believe spearfishing is forbidden.

Spearfishing is not forbidden on Corsica, except of the Scandola reserve (near Porto, mid west coast), and possibly some other smaller spots. There are two spearfishing clubs in Ajaccio, and possibly others elsewhere that are not listed here: Clubs d'apnée Corse

 

[shearwater]

Hi

Thanks for the information. I read this on another site but good to know that is actually is allowed. Have you done any spearfishing there yourself?
Thanks
Innes

 

[gman080788]

shearwater... i am in camogli a small town near genova let me know howand or when you want to go to sardenia or corsica