Blockade of the Vilaine

Blockade of the Vilaine
Date	November 21, 1759 - April 25, 1762
Location	Mouth of the Vilaine river47°29′35″N 2°26′30″W / 47.49306°N 2.44167°W
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Kingdom of Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Emmanuel Armand de Vignerot du Plessis	Edward Hawke
Strength
11 ships of the line	7 ships of the line
	class=notpageimage\| Location within France

The blockade of the Vilaine was a naval military operation that followed the Battle of Quiberon Bay, where the French and British fleets clashed during the Seven Years' War off the coast of Brittany. The initial naval warfare occurred on November 20, 1759, between the islands of Hoedic and Dumet and Le Croisic. After the battle, eleven French ships sought refuge in the Vilaine estuary near Damgan, Billiers, and Pénestin, and later moved further inland to Arzal and Camoël to avoid enemy attacks. For over two years, there was political intrigue among noble officers loyal to Admiral de Conflans, who advocated for the destruction of the stranded ships, and the Duke of Aiguillon, who preferred a gradual departure. Around seven thousand crew members settled at the mouth of the Vilaine and the port of La Roche-Bernard. Despite financial constraints from the Royal Treasury, the presence of the fleet and its crews brought economic benefits to the local area.

The blockade, enforced by Admiral Hawke's squadron and Officer Robert Duff's unit in the Gulf of Morbihan, was lifted on April 25, 1762, allowing the last French ships to escape to Brest or Rochefort. All ships, except for the Inflexible which was damaged in a storm and subsequently dismantled, successfully departed the estuary in pairs, beginning on January 6, 1761.