Harbour

Port du Bélon

4.3Riec-sur-Bélon, FranceMorbihan

Maximum length: 15 m
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 1.9 m

Tidal estuary port on the Bélon river at Riec-sur-Bélon in southern Finistère, between the Aven and the Laïta. The river gives its name to the Belon flat oyster, Ostrea edulis.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Entry from the sea through Port Manec'h buoyed channel then up the Bélon river. Strong tidal streams in the estuary. VHF 9. Max draught 1.9 m on the moorings at low water springs.

Practical

About 350 moorings on buoys and trots in the river. Landing by dinghy at the Port du Bélon slipway. Water at the slipway. No fuel berth. Oyster farms line both banks.

Ashore

Chez Jacky and other oyster houses on the right bank serve Belon flat oysters directly from the parks. GR34 coastal path crosses the river by ferry in summer between Port du Bélon and Kerfany-les-Pins, giving access to the beach 1 km south.

History

The Belon oyster trade is documented from the 1860s when Auguste de Solminihac set up the first parks on the river, using the mix of fresh and salt water to finish oysters with a distinctive hazelnut taste.