Harbour

Port du Grau d'Agde

2.8Grau d'Agde, FranceLanguedoc-Roussillon

Maximum length: 328 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 4 ft

Small river harbour of 100 berths on the Hérault estuary, on the left bank facing La Tamarissière, in Occitanie.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the sea through the buoyed Hérault channel between the two jetties. Maximum draught 1.5 m, watch for silting after easterly gales. Speed limit 3 knots inside the river. The current sets across the pontoons, so allow for it in the mooring manoeuvre. VHF 9.

Practical

Visitor space is tight. A free reception pontoon sits inside the entrance on the east side in front of the restaurants, room for three to four boats and signed for short stops, though the capitainerie may allow an overnight stay on request. Chargeable finger berths lie about 100 m further up. Water and electricity on the pontoons, capitainerie run by the commune of Agde, fuel on the quay. A German-run yard has travel-lifts, a crane for masting and antifouling, hardstanding and a well-stocked chandlery. Bakery, supermarket and a pharmacy within 100 m. Bars can run late in season.

Ashore

Beach of Le Grau d'Agde at the river mouth, 400 m walk. Forest of La Tamarissière on the opposite bank, pedestrian ferry across the Hérault in season. Town of Agde and its black basalt cathedral Saint-Étienne 4 km upriver.

History

Le Grau d'Agde is the sea outlet of the Hérault, used by fishermen from Agde since the Middle Ages. Agde itself was founded by Greek settlers from Phocaea around 525 BC under the name Agathe Tyche.