Port Camargue - what's it like?

[BlueSkyNick]

Port Camargue - what\'s it like?

Anybody keep a boat down there? Nearby? Or live in the area?

Looks a bit flat and boring on the map, but more interesting in pictures.

Also, presume the wind is either a lot or nothing, which limits the sailing opportunities.

We are planning a visit to check it out, but would be grateful for any comments in advance.

 

[tcm]

Re: Port Camargue - what\'s it like?

I've not actually been to port carmargue but inseveral marinas nearby - the whole area is the rhone delta and as you say, it's flat. The winds in the area are mainly n/NE Mistral which reaches force 6 or more an average 200 days per year. It's sailing country for loonie french types, and with much dull shorescape around here unlike the places further east, it's fairly cheap sailing country too. Marseilles is an intersting city, probly most interesting on the french med coast, and the calanques to the east are fascinating deep narrow fijords some only a hundred feet wide, fab place. Weatheriwse the further to the east you could get from marseilles, the lesss wild the winds - Cassis is like french riviera of 50 years ago and often used for period films. However, if you really like weekend boating, the solent takes some beating and there is an adjustment to make to gatwick-based boating which is what this wd be. A calmer and cheaper option might be spain like Denia or barcelona, with balerics easier to reach. But crappier spanish food tho...

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Re: Port Camargue - what\'s it like?

Pics of the Calanque gorges here...

http://www.beyond.fr/sites/calanques.html

Gorge-ous, I say (sorry!).

 

[trouville]

Re: Port Camargue - what\'s it like?

The posts above give a good and real idea of port Camargue, windsurfers love this region, with long wide sandy beaches,

Port Camargue is one of the more expensive ports in the region as most of the places are private, There are about 5000 moorings!!(i suppose a third may be port public but im guessing) I know people who have their boat there and say they like it.I find it a bit oppressive and prefer Aigues mortes and the walled town (wonderful but a bit boreing over a whole winter!)

In that area are several ports much smaller, where boat shops and haul out services are available (Grau-du-roi), The wine of the area is quite good to very good! When the wind stops the mosquitoes arrive and bite!

In that whole coastal area before Marseille i prefer to stay in Sete whith all its disconforts! just becouse of the town and what ever others my say i get along alright with the locals, I havent been there for a while.

The other port that has "something" is Fos, it can stink a bit becouse of the petrochemical industary,when the wind drops, but it has everything for your boat.And isent as big nor expensive.

Why do you want to go there? If your looking for a boat "garage" thats it, though even then i would go along the coast a bit as far as Toulon where there is quite a choise,
Thought Toulon is a bit full and Saint-Mandrier has become "Tourist" and expensive!! except in winter where now almost everthing is closed unlike the past when it lived. Beware of the gusts they can break mooring lines

 

[tcm]

the real reason: Stes-maries-de-la-mer

this is so called cos apparently where mary magdalen came after jesus died.

Now, it's home to a massive nudist beach, 36 kilometres long. You can drive a car along and there's loads of people with no kit on. The sea is v gently shelving so if on a boat and you run aground here, anyopne who helps will will be starkers. Some parts (of the beach, ahem) are mandatory nudist, identifiable by the sign "non textile".

 

[graham]

Re: Groundings

does the" non textile" area suffer a higher than average number of boats grounding on the beach? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[tcm]

Re: Groundings

very possibly - but the shallows are 4 miles out, so much like the voyeurs on dry land, they wet themselves far too soon....

 

[wavelet]

Re: Groundings

[ QUOTE ]
does the" non textile" area suffer a higher than average number of boats grounding on the beach? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, there are absolutely no cross dressers there anyway.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Port Camargue - what\'s it like?

I've been twice, both times on land, both times in VERY strong offshore breeze. It does have a reputation for blowing a bit. Both times in the winter though. And yes, boring would be a polite description of the landcape, unless you're from the East Coast when you'd just find it a bit flatter than you're used to.