Harbour

Viviers

3.9France

Maximum length: 42 ft
Maximum draught: 5 ft

Small river port on the Rhône in Ardèche, 20 berths, below the medieval town of Viviers.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

On the navigable Rhône. Maximum draught 1.8 m. Approach the pontoon heading into the current. An old submerged dike lies at the entrance, so keep to the marks. Depth is uneven, the longer catways on the left on entry holding more water while the entrance and the shorter fingers to the right silt up. The port is open to the mistral, and mooring is tricky in a strong wind, bow-to for larger boats. Upstream refuge at Port de Cruas 10.6 nm north, downstream at Bollène Pontoon North 10.9 nm south. Keep clear of the navigation channel and its commercial traffic.

Practical

20 berths on a single pontoon. Water and electricity on site. Berths are graded by size, the longest catways on the left, so boats can berth and register later. The capitainerie is staffed only about an hour in the morning and again in the evening. Around 16 to 21 euros a night for 9 to 13 m including water and electricity. The port closes in winter, with the pontoons lifted and services off. Town centre and shops within 700 m.

Ashore

Old town of Viviers with the Saint-Vincent cathedral, the smallest active cathedral in France, 800 m uphill. Maison des Chevaliers Renaissance façade on the Grande Rue. A bakery and charcuterie are about 10 minutes on foot, with a supermarket further out. Défilé de Donzère rock gorge 6 km downstream.

History

Viviers has been the seat of a Catholic bishopric since the 5th century. The cathedral tower dates from the 12th century. The town served as capital of the Vivarais region until the French Revolution.