Anchorage

Cap Bénat

4.2FranceVar

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

Anchorage on the east side of Cap Bénat, the wooded headland that closes the bay of Bormes-les-Mimosas to the south.

Pontoon
Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the east keeping the Cap Benat lighthouse in sight. Mixed bottom of sand, rock and weed in 5 to 12 metres, anchor on a clear sand patch. Sheltered from NW, W, SW and S and exposed to E and NE, though gusts still funnel down the valleys and off the cape and can swirl or drag a boat, so lie clear of the wind axis. Wash from the Le Lavandou to Iles d'Or shuttles rolls the anchorage by day and eases towards evening. The private harbour of Cap Benat lies 0,1 NM south, reserved for estate residents.

Ashore

Landing on the cape itself is restricted, shore side being a private estate. Bormes-les-Mimosas harbour at 1.7 NM north gives access to the hilltop village, 3 km inland, with stone lanes and the 13th century Chapelle Saint-François.

History

The Cap Bénat lighthouse was built in 1836 and automated in 1984. The surrounding estate was developed from the 1920s as a private residential domain and remains closed to the public.