Anchorage

Calanque de Ratonneau

Shelter: NW, N, W
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the north side of Ratonneau island in the Frioul archipelago, off Marseille, with sand bottom.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north, clear of the reefs between Ratonneau and Pomègues. It is a small cove with room for only three to five boats and it fills quickly, so arrive early. Hold on the sand out to the middle of the cove in 3 to 8 metres, as further in it shoals to mud with poorer holding, and the entrance has rocky patches. Shelter from NW, N and W; exposed to the S to SE. It rolls through the day with the wash of the Frioul shuttles and passing traffic from about 07:30 to 21:00, settling at night. A submerged cable is reported between the two points at 12 metres.

Practical

No facilities on the anchorage. Port du Frioul lies about 0.7 NM SW on the south shore of the archipelago, with water, fuel and berths. Ferry link to Marseille Vieux Port from the village.

Ashore

Frioul island trails start at the cove, reaching the fortified Hôpital Caroline built in 1828 as a quarantine station. The Château d'If is a short dinghy trip across, and the cove looks over Marseille and Notre-Dame de la Garde lit up at night. Plage de Saint-Estève at 400 m, Port du Frioul village and restaurants at 700 m on foot.

History

The Frioul archipelago formed Marseille's maritime quarantine from the 17th century. Hôpital Caroline on Ratonneau was built after the last major plague outbreak of the city in 1720.