Anchorage

Île du Grand-Rouveau

4.2FranceVar

Shelter: NE, E, SW, SE
Seabed: sand, rock, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off the Île du Grand-Rouveau, a rocky islet west of the Embiez archipelago in the Var, topped by a 19th century lighthouse.

Pontoon
Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north or south, keeping well off the rocks extending west of the islet. The bottom is mixed sand, rock and dense posidonia, so pick a clear sand patch in 5 to 10 metres; old net and cable lie on the bottom in places and can foul an anchor, so a tripping line helps. Shelter is partial from NE to E and from SE to SW, and it becomes untenable in a fresh westerly mistral. Motorboat and jet-ski wash throws up a tiring chop by day that eases at dusk.

Practical

No services on the island. Port de Saint-Pierre des Embiez lies 0.4 NM to the east for fuel, water and visitor berths. Le Brusc on the mainland is 1.2 NM to the east.

Ashore

A small beach allows a landing, and a path climbs to the lighthouse for a wide view over the archipelago. The Phare du Grand Rouveau, built in 1861 and automated since 1998, stands on the summit. The whole archipelago is a Natura 2000 site managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral, with landing restricted to protect nesting seabirds. In summer, loud music from parties on a nearby beach can carry to the anchorage after dark. Diving on the rocky drop-offs is a known spot of the Six-Fours coast.