Harbour

Le Hourdel

Name: Le Hourdel
Address: FR

France

Maximum length: 9 m

Small drying harbour at the tip of the Pointe du Hourdel, on the south shore of the Somme estuary in Hauts-de-France. About 75 berths.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Access is strictly tidal through the Somme estuary channel, which shifts with the sandbanks and is buoyed by the local pilots. Enter on a rising tide, typically from HW minus 2 hours. The estuary dries extensively at low water. Refuges at Le Crotoy 2.7 NM east and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme 3.7 NM south-east.

Practical

Fishing and leisure harbour with around 75 berths, most boats dry out on sand and mud at low water. Water on the quay. Bakery, small grocery and a few cafes in the village.

Ashore

Seal colony of the Baie de Somme visible from the Pointe du Hourdel at 400 m, one of the largest harbour seal and grey seal groups in France. GR 120 coastal path runs through the village. Cayeux-sur-Mer and its 400 beach huts are 5 km south by road.

History

Le Hourdel was the southern signal and pilot station for the Somme estuary from the 19th century. The lighthouse dates from 1950 and replaced an earlier light destroyed in 1944.