GRANVILLE DZ

http://www.normandieparachutisme.fr.st/

Originally posted on the Skydive Jersey newsgroup - 5/3/2003.
By Mike Aubert. Revised 5/2004

The nearest French DZ to Jersey. A nice DZ if still a little basic at the time of writing. The club moved all of their equipment / portacabins and caravans etc at the end of 2002 from Caen airport where they were been shut down due to increase in commercial traffic. There is a basic kitchen and rest area in one of the cabins and toilets, but no showers or wash facilities. The DZ office usually has soft drinks for sale from the 'frigo.

The actual landing zone is reasonably large (but not as big as Vannes) and they have a target (if you're inclined...). As you would imagine, this close to the beach its very sandy underfoot but has quite springy vegetation. Even so, if you cock up your landing and go in bigstyle, expect to be spitting sand for a while... oh, and the thistles are worth avoiding too.

The cafe/restaurant is next to the (small) airport building but reports say that it probably isnt the most welcoming or the best place to eat, but at least you can buy icecreams there.. There are other commercial operations also based at the airport which operate a small flying/microlite school and do scenic trips around MtStMichel etc etc.

The packing area is currently an ex-military mess tent. Not huge, but quite adequate until they erect something better.

The runway ends about 100 metres from the beach, to which there is easy access. Its a really nice beach too, about 2 miles of golden sand (nudist section one one end) with a few dunes. Unlike other beaches close by (in the bay of St Michel) its surprisingly silt-free and shelving, so the tide only goes out a few hundred metres (instead of kilometres).

There are two camp sites quite close (one within walking distance) and its often OK to camp out at the DZ (with permission). Theres a bar/night club about half a click away, but reportedly its a gay bar. There are some reasonable looking hotels in the area. Nearest ATM (cash dispenser) is about 2k down the road to wards Granville at a post office. There is usual collection of shops and supermarkets within easy driving distance, but not much within walking (or even cycling) range.

Car parking at the airport or DZ looks more than adequate. The public car parks near the beach get busier in Summer (they seem to attract camping cars).

You can probably get away with taking wives/kids/girlfriends etc with you if its beach weather, otherwise expect some earache as there isnt much else to do. Membership of the club costs about 45 Euros for the year and you will be expected to join if you jump there more than a couple of times. Staff and club members are mostly friendly and speak some English. My reserve repack and inspection (which includes a thorough inspection sheet) cost 30 Euros in 2003.

You can usually get your FFP membership issued quite quickly, but as always it has to be done on-site and in-person. Dont forget your current medical certificate and license(s).

Getting there is quite easy; Head for Granville and then go North about 5k, looking for the signs to 'airport', 'Brevil' or 'Brevil plage'.

Granville as a town is quite nice for rainy days/evenings. Plenty of smalll bistro-ish eateries and an English pub (if you have to) near the 'Casino'. I recommend the US-diner/texmex place (also near the casino) for a change from snails & moules/frites...