Harbour

Port jean gau

Name: Port jean gau
Address: Valras-Plage, FR

Valras-Plage, FranceLanguedoc-Roussillon

Type: Harbour

Small municipal port on the right bank of the Orb river at Valras-Plage, Occitanie, named after the French solo circumnavigator Jean Gau.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter the Orb from the Gulf of Lion, passing the breakwaters of Valras-Plage. The river mouth silts regularly, draught limited to around 1,5 metres at low water. Keep to the marked channel and call the capitainerie on VHF 9 before entering. Strong onshore swell in easterly weather can make the entrance difficult.

Practical

Moorings along the quays on the right bank of the Orb, upstream of the road bridge. Water and electricity on the pontoons. Shops, bakery and restaurants along the Allées Charles de Gaulle, 200 m from the berths. Larger marina at Sérignan l'Orb, upstream.

Ashore

Beach of Valras-Plage 400 m south, fine sand along 4 km of shore. Réserve naturelle régionale de l'embouchure de l'Orb on the left bank, marshland with birdwatching observatory. Market on Tuesday and Saturday morning on place Saint-Pierre.

History

Jean Gau, 1902 to 1979, was born in Port-la-Nouvelle and crossed the Atlantic seven times and rounded Cape Horn in the small wooden ketch Atom. The port was named in tribute to his solo voyages.