Anchorage

Lac d'Hourtin - Piqueyrot

Shelter: N, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand-bottom anchorage on the eastern shore of the lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, Gironde, the largest natural freshwater lake in France at around 6,200 hectares.

Mooring buoys
Visitor buoys
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Shallow freshwater lake with a maximum depth of about 10 metres. Keep clear of the reed beds close to shore and the swimming zones marked by yellow buoys in season. Westerlies build a short chop over the 18 km fetch, so favour approaches under N or E winds.

Practical

Forain anchorage with no services on site. Hourtin Port lies 1.8 nm SE with pontoons, fuel and water.

Ashore

Piqueyrot beach is supervised in July and August. The Vélodyssée cycle route passes behind the dunes and leads to Hourtin-Plage on the Atlantic coast, about 7 km west across the dune ridge. Médoc pine forest around the lake is managed by the ONF.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 45.19617, -1.12420 (45°11.77'N 1°7.45'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north, south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed
Maximum length: 9 m
Fees: Paid
Phone: +33556732847
Services: Mooring buoys, Visitor buoys, Beach
Boaters' rating: 2.6/5
Updated: July 7, 2026