Port

Pomegue

2.5Marseille, FranceMarseille and the Calanques

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VHF channel: 9

Small harbour in the former military cove of Pomegues, on the southern island of the Frioul archipelago off Marseille, inside the Calanques National Park perimeter.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the east by the channel between Ratonneau and Pomegues, which links the two islands since the causeway and Port du Frioul were built in the 1970s. Entrance is open to strong mistral gusts from the north-west that accelerate between the islands. Berth stern to the quay with the bow held to a buoy, so carry a line of up to 50 metres and the staff will take one; it grows uncomfortable with swell in strong winds. VHF 9. Keep clear of the small craft moored on buoys along the cove.

Practical

Berths with water at the quay, the visitor places lying to port on entry, around 32 euros a night. A small shop sells bread and basics, open daily in season but shut from October to March, when the port runs a reduced winter operation and most businesses close. Booking through the harbour office at Port du Frioul is advised in summer. Further shops, bakery and a few restaurants at Port du Frioul on Ratonneau at 0.1 NM north-east across the causeway.

Ashore

Hospital Caroline ruins at the northern tip of Ratonneau, former nineteenth century lazaretto, walking distance from the causeway. Chateau d'If on its separate islet at 1 NM east, made famous by Alexandre Dumas and his Count of Monte-Cristo, ferry access from Marseille. Swimming coves along both Pomegues and Ratonneau shores, inside the Calanques National Park.

History

Pomegues served as a quarantine anchorage for Marseille from the seventeenth century, with the Hopital Caroline on Ratonneau built in 1828 after the yellow fever epidemic of 1821. The islands held coastal batteries and were militarised until the French Navy released them in 1971.