Anchorage

Banc des Portes

Shelter: NW, W, SW, S
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand bank anchorage inside the Fier d'Ars, the tidal lagoon on the north-west corner of Île de Ré, sheltered from NW through S.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter on a rising tide only. The Fier d'Ars is a drying estuary with a narrow buoyed channel between Les Portes-en-Ré and Ars-en-Ré; bottom dries over wide areas at low water springs. Consult SHOM chart 7404 and take the tidal coefficient into account. Holding is good on firm sand once set, but the bank turns choppy as soon as the wind shifts or a swell works in, and boats lie well off the beach, so landing means a long walk over the flats or taking the ground.

Practical

No services at the bank itself. Bassin de la Criée at Ars-en-Ré lies 2 nautical miles SW, with visitor berths, water and fuel managed by the Régie du Port d'Ars-en-Ré. Port de Loix is 2.2 nautical miles SE, drying, for shoal-draught boats only.

Ashore

Réserve naturelle nationale de Lilleau des Niges borders the lagoon, a wintering ground for brent geese and waders monitored by the LPO. Les Portes-en-Ré village is about 20 minutes on foot and has a small market. Village of Ars-en-Ré with its black-and-white church spire, used as a seamark since the 17th century, lies 3 km by the cycle path. The island's vineyards produce the Pineau des Charentes and Cognac AOC.