Harbour

Gravelines

4.6Gravelines, FranceOpal Coast and Bay of Somme

Maximum length: 49 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 8 ft

Lock-gated marina of 430 berths at the mouth of the river Aa, on the Opal Coast between Dunkerque and Calais.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach along the buoyed channel of the Chenal de l'Aa from the west cardinal buoy offshore. The channel is shallow with its deepest water curving about, so approach and leave within about an hour of local high water. The lock at Grand Fort-Philippe opens roughly from HW minus 2 h to HW plus 1 h 30, its gate working automatically. VHF channel 9 for the lock and harbour office. Strong tidal streams cross the entrance at mid-flood. The basin is silted, and berths near the shore dry to soft mud while the outside of pontoon 4 stays afloat, so ask for a deep berth.

Practical

430 berths, around 40 for visitors. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers at the capitainerie, with a washing machine and dryer at about 3.50 euros each, and bikes for hire on site. A Lidl is a 5 minute walk by the quai Vauban, with a larger Intermarché further off; the nearest chandlery is at Calais, reached by bus, and a free bus runs to Dunkerque. Boatyard with travel lift.

Ashore

Vauban star-shaped fortifications surround the old town at 1.5 km from the marina, designed in 1680. Sculpture arsenal museum in the powder magazine inside the ramparts. The restaurant L'Eclusier is close to the marina. Petit-Fort-Philippe lighthouse and sand beach 1 km to the north along the river.

History

Gravelines was fortified by Vauban from 1680 after Louis XIV took the town in 1658. The ramparts and the wet dock that hosts today's marina are part of the classified military heritage.