Mouillage

Plateau Cordouan

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Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sandbank anchorage around the Cordouan lighthouse, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary between Le Verdon and the Pointe de Grave, New Aquitaine.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Sand bottom. Strong tidal streams up to 4 knots on springs, and the sandbank partly dries at low water. Slack water only, either side of HW Pointe de Grave. Cross-swell from the Atlantic and counter-current at ebb create hazardous breakers on the banks of La Mauvaise and La Coubre to the N. The bottom near the lighthouse to the south is rocky, so anchor on the sand bank to the north. Taking the ground on the sand is possible but the seabed is uneven and risky for a keelboat. Daylight access only and settled weather. Port Bloc 4.5 NM E, Port Médoc 4.8 NM E for shelter.

Practical

No services. Pure daylight visit for the lighthouse.

Ashore

Phare de Cordouan, listed UNESCO World Heritage in 2021, in service since 1611 and the oldest working lighthouse in France. Landing by dinghy on the sandbank at low water, guided visits of the royal chapel and the 301 steps of the tower operated by the SMIDDEST from April to October. Aim to arrive about three hours before low water to land and visit the tower.