Anchorage

Lac d'Hourtin

Shelter: NW, N, W, SW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans in the Médoc, France's largest natural freshwater lake at around 62 km2, west of the Gironde vineyards.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Freshwater lake with no tide, sand bottom holds well. Winds build quickly across the open water in the afternoon. Close to the shore the bottom shoals quickly, about 2 metres only 5 metres off the beach, so a boat can lie in close but should sound its way in. Shelter from NW, N, W and SW sectors along the eastern shore. Hourtin Port lies 3.7 NM to the NE, Lacanau 9.3 NM to the S.

Practical

Forain anchorage with no services on site. Nearest fuel, water and provisions at Hourtin Port.

Ashore

A small beach lines the lakeshore at the anchorage. Véloroute du littoral runs along the eastern shore of the lake, linking Hourtin village to Carcans-Maubuisson. Forêt domaniale of Hourtin covers the dunes between the lake and the Atlantic, with a waymarked footpath to the ocean beach about 5 km west.