Mouillage

Le Petit Rhône

Shelter: NW, N, NE
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the Petit Rhône branch of the Rhône delta in Camargue, mud bottom, sheltered from northerly winds.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

River navigation inland from Saint-Gilles on the canal du Rhône à Sète, or by descending the Petit Rhône from the main Rhône. Watch for commercial traffic and the current in the main channel. Keep to the marked channel, banks are shoaling in places. Depths hold about 1.60 m at low water. Passing barges throw a heavy wash, so lie with long lines and stout fenders.

Practical

Saint-Gilles at 1,1 NM west has a halte fluviale with water and basic services. Halte plaisance VNF at 2,2 NM SW for overnight stops on the waterway network.

Ashore

Abbatiale de Saint-Gilles, Romanesque facade of the 12th century listed as UNESCO World Heritage on the Santiago de Compostela routes, at 1,1 NM west. Camargue regional natural park on both banks, flamingos, white horses and black bulls in the surrounding wetlands.

History

The Petit Rhône was a major medieval port outlet, and Saint-Gilles was one of the main pilgrim embarkation harbours for the Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries before the river silted up.