Harbour

Agde - quai visiteurs

Name: Agde - quai visiteurs
Address: Agde, FR

Type: Harbour

Visitor quay on the Hérault river in the centre of Agde, between the Canal du Midi junction and the sea, in western Hérault.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Reached from the sea via the Hérault estuary at Le Grau-d'Agde, then about 4 km upriver to the old town quays. Also accessible from the Canal du Midi via the round lock at Agde and the short link into the Hérault. River current runs downstream, stronger after heavy rain in the Cévennes. Keep to the channel, mooring is stern or alongside the stone quay in the town centre.

Practical

Alongside mooring on the stone quay below the cathedral. Water points available. No fuel berth on the town quay. All shops, bakeries, market and restaurants in the old town within 100 m. Capitainerie of Agde manages visitor stays.

Ashore

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, built in black volcanic basalt from the 12th century, stands directly above the quay. Musée de l'Éphèbe at Le Cap-d'Agde holds the bronze Ephebe of Agde found in the Hérault in 1964, about 5 km away. Round lock of Agde on the Canal du Midi, a rare three-way lock designed by Riquet, is 600 m north.

History

Agde was founded around 525 BC by Greeks from Phocaea as Agathé Tyché, making it one of the oldest towns in France. It was a bishopric from the 5th century until 1790. The basalt cathedral and ramparts were built from the local volcanic stone of Mont Saint-Loup.

Story

The bronze Ephebe of Agde, a Hellenistic statue now in the Musée de l'Éphèbe, was pulled from the mud of the Hérault river in 1964 during dredging operations.