Port

La Faute sur Mer

3.3La Faute-sur-Mer, FranceCharente-Maritime

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Maximum length: 39 ft
Maximum draught: 6 ft

Tidal harbour on the left bank of the Lay estuary, in Vendée, opposite L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer across the river mouth.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Entry via the Lay estuary, buoyed channel that shifts with sand banks. Approach at half-flood, tidal range over 5 m on springs. Maximum draught around 1,9 m inside. Strong cross current at the mouth near low water. VHF listening on the standard channel of the capitainerie.

Practical

160 berths, water and electricity on the pontoons, with reception and guidance handled by phone. The Golf restaurant stands next to the port, but other shops and restaurants are a walk away, the nearest supermarket about 1 km off. Port de L'Aiguillon sits 0.7 miles to the north on the opposite bank.

Ashore

Pointe d'Arçay forest and dune, a nature reserve at the southern tip of the spit, reached on foot in 3 km along the beach. Marché on Thursday and Sunday morning, 400 m from the port. Baie de l'Aiguillon bird reserve visible across the estuary, major site for brent geese and waders in winter.

History

On the night of 27 to 28 February 2010, storm Xynthia coincided with a high tide coefficient 102. The sea overtopped the Lay dike and flooded the low-lying neighbourhood south of the port. 29 people died in the commune. 700 houses were bought back by the State at La Faute-sur-Mer and L'Aiguillon for demolition, and the affected zone was turned into open land and a golf course.