Harbour

Aramon

3.7France

Maximum length: 98 ft
VHF channel: 10
Maximum draught: 16 ft

Small river port on the right bank of the Rhône in the Gard, between Avignon and Tarascon.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Access on the navigable Rhône between PK 254 and PK 255. Strong current on the descent, particularly during releases from the Vallabrègues dam downstream. The pontoon lies in the current and the wash from passing barges sets moored boats rocking, so allow for it when berthing. Max draught 5 m in the channel. VHF 10 for lock and navigation traffic on the Rhône.

Practical

Five pleasure berths in a tight basin shared with workboats, at about 20 to 30 euros a night with water and electricity included, though there are no toilets, showers or bins. The harbour master answers the phone, speaks English and helps with mooring, so book ahead by phone. Fallback at Port de Vallabrègues 3.1 nm SW or Écluse de Beaucaire 4.1 nm SW. Village shops, bakery and restaurants within 500 m.

Ashore

Old village of Aramon with the 16th century Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Pancrace church and the Renaissance hôtel de ville at about 400 m, a market on Wednesday mornings and food trucks on the square in the evening. Ruins of the medieval castle above the village. Pont du Gard at 25 km by road, Avignon at 15 km.

History

Aramon was a fortified Rhône crossing and a river toll in the Middle Ages. The name gave its trade mark to the aramon grape, a high yield variety planted widely in Languedoc vineyards during the 19th century.