Port

Givet

3.1Givet, France

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Maximum length: 98 ft

River port of 15 berths on the Meuse at Givet, in the northern tip of the Ardennes department, 1 km from the Belgian border.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Reached by the canalised Meuse, which connects to Belgium via the Lock of Ham-sur-Meuse a few km downstream. French locks operated by VNF, Belgian locks by SPW. Freycinet gauge. No tidal constraint, but the Meuse can run strongly after winter rains.

Practical

Fifteen pontoon berths with water and electricity, taking boats up to 10 metres, plus a sanitary block with showers. Larger craft use the quay opposite, reserved for pleasure boats, which has no water or electricity and where the showers and toilets are a walk away across the Meuse. The harbour office can be hard to reach, so booking may mean contacting the commune. Bakery, supermarket and restaurants within 500 m in the town centre. Fuel by jerrycan from the service station on the opposite bank.

Ashore

Fort de Charlemont, a Vauban fortification completed in 1680 on the rocky heights above the town, 20 minutes walk and 140 m climb. Maison Méhul, birthplace of composer Étienne Méhul who wrote the Chant du Départ, in the town centre. Point Zero of the Meuse kilometre count is set in the quay at Givet.

History

Givet was fortified by Charles V of Spain in 1555 and reinforced by Vauban after the town became French at the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The twin towns of Givet Saint-Hilaire and Givet Notre-Dame were merged only in 1790.