Harbour

La Tremblade

Maximum length: 36 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 5 ft

Port of 115 berths on the Seudre estuary, in the heart of the Marennes-Oléron oyster basin in Charente-Maritime.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Access from the Pertuis de Maumusson through the Seudre channel, marked by lateral beacons. The pertuis is known for strong cross currents and a shifting bar, crossing is advised near slack high water in settled weather. An overhead power line crosses the channel on the approach, so check the air draught. Max draught 1.6 m at the berth. VHF 9.

Practical

115 berths, fuel station on site. Water and electricity on the pontoons. Repli possible at Cale ronde 0.6 NM NE or Marennes 1.5 NM N. Town centre of La Tremblade within walking distance, with shops, a Saturday market and restaurants along the quays.

Ashore

Forêt domaniale de la Coubre and its lighthouse at about 7 km by road, with marked cycling and hiking paths through the dunes. Oyster cabins open for tastings along the Route des Huîtres between La Tremblade and Marennes. Beach of La Côte Sauvage on the Atlantic side.

History

La Tremblade has been the capital of flat and cupped oyster farming on the Seudre since the 19th century. The estuary was shaped by salt marshes later converted into claires, the shallow basins used for the green refining of Marennes-Oléron oysters.