Harbour

Public Pontoon "quais"

Name: Public Pontoon "quais"
Address: Watten, FR

2.9Watten, FranceOpal Coast and Bay of Somme

Type: Harbour

Public pontoon on the canalised river Aa at Watten, in the Hauts-de-France. A river stop for crews transiting between Gravelines and Saint-Omer.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The Aa is navigable from the sea lock at Gravelines up to the junction with the canal de Neufossé at Watten. Approach is straightforward with no tide on this reach. The stop sits just downstream of the écluse de Watten, which is operated by Voies navigables de France during standard canal hours.

Practical

A few linear metres along a wooden quay with rings and bollards, room for a single boat. No water or electricity on the public pontoon. A larger equipped halte, Port Watten, lies 300 m S with power and water posts.

Ashore

Village shops and a bakery within 300 m. Montagne de Watten, a wooded hill with the ruins of a 12th century abbey and a windmill on top, 1 km E, signposted hiking loop.

History

The Aa was canalised from the 12th century by the counts of Flanders to make the river navigable to the sea. Watten sat at the junction of sea trade and inland barge traffic and kept several boatyards along the quays until the mid 20th century.