The Épervière Marina: yachting and leisure activities on the Rhône river

Located in the heart of the Drôme, the Port de l’Épervière is a haven of peace for yachtsmen and water sports enthusiasts. Bordered by the majestic Rhône River, this river port offers a full range of facilities and services to make your stay a pleasant one.

History of the Port de l’Épervière

Like other towns along the Rhône, Valence has always used the river to develop its trade.

As early as the Middle Ages, quays were built along the banks, such as the Portalet au sel, a reminder of the trade with the Mediterranean salt works, a source of prosperity for the city.

With the hydroelectric development of the last century and its many dams, the regulation of the flow and flooding of the Rhône encouraged the development of port facilities.

A port that splits into two

In the 1970s, a project was launched to double the size of the port of Valence. A commercial port with a multimodal platform at Porte-lès-Valence downstream, and a marina in Valence, the Port de l’Épervière.

Inaugurated in 1979 as a joint commercial and pleasure port, the Port de l’Épervière has since become a major centre for navigation and river tourism. It quickly established itself as a must for yachtsmen sailing on the Rhône.

Thanks to its strategic location between Lyon and Avignon, it became an essential stopping-off point for boats travelling through the region. Over the years, the facilities have been modernised and expanded to welcome even more visitors.

Today, it is one of the main marinas in the Rhône Valley.

Economy and river tourism

The Port de l’Épervière plays an essential role in the economic and tourist development of the city of Valence.

It generates significant economic spin-offs thanks to the many services it offers, making it an attractive destination. It also helps to strengthen the region’s cultural and heritage image.

Located at the economic heart of the Drôme, the Port de l’Épervière offers an exceptional setting for water-based and land-based activities, in addition to yachting and river services.

The marina in figures

Covering an area of 8 hectares, the Port de l’Épervière has 420 moorings for boats and 60 careening areas for boat maintenance. This careening area can accommodate boats up to 18 metres long, with a 30-tonne capacity lift.

On the yachting side, the pontoons are equipped with water and electricity, and the breakwater protects boats from the currents of the Rhône.

Services available to yachtsmen

The Port de l’Épervière offers a wide range of services to make life easier for yachtsmen:

Showers and toilets
Automatic laundry
Free Wi-Fi
Navigation and weather information
Bicycle hire
Bus stop to Valencia and surrounding area
Public toilets
Self-service fuel
Waste water pumping station
Refuse collection point
Free car park

There is also a tourist information office on site, as well as shops with :

A restaurant
A ships chandler
Purchase and sale of boats
Boat maintenance, repair and mechanics

Leisure, tourism and attractions

The Port de l’Épervière also offers a range of water sports and cycling activities.

Water sports and clubs

If you’re a water sports fan, you’re in for a treat at the Port de l’Épervière!

Local clubs offer a range of activities including sailing, rowing, canoeing and kayaking. Courses and workshops are regularly organised for children and adults wishing to improve their skills.

As for motorboats, you can take your licence at one of the schools on site or simply enjoy an accompanied river trip on the Rhône.

Walking, cycling and the ViaRhôna

Just a stone’s throw from the port is the famous ViaRhôna, a cycle route that runs for over 800 kilometres along the Rhône and has been awarded the Eurovelo 17 label. This cycle path allows visitors to explore the region’s breathtaking landscapes by bike, following the valleys of the Rhône, Drôme and Isère rivers.

Numerous footpaths are also accessible from the port along the river, by road or by bus, offering a wide range of nature walks and hikes*.

Tourism and leisure

Its proximity to Valence, the capital of the Drôme département, means that the area is well-suited to a wide range of activities and tourist attractions:

Cinemas, ice rinks, swimming pools and aquatic centres, parks, museums, heritage sites, architectural discoveries…

As far as accommodation is concerned, there’s a campsite not far away, as well as numerous hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Valence for a stay or a weekend.

Access to the Port de l’Épervière

The Port de l’Épervière is easily accessible by road, notably from the RN7 trunk road and the A7 motorway.

For boaters navigating on the Rhône, the entrance to the port is located downstream of Valence, just after the Épervière bridge.

Port location

Port De Plaisance Valence L’Epervière

Connections with Valence town centre

The port is linked to Valence city centre by public transport, with a bus stop providing visitors with rapid access to all the city’s tourist and cultural sites via line 1.

The port is also close to Valence-ville SNCF station, which offers numerous rail connections and a bus station for long-distance buses.

CITÉA Valence timetable and map ↗
Valence city SNCF station
Bus stations in the Drôme

Environmental commitment

For many years now, the port has been committed to a quality approach that respects the environment.

The ISO 9001 eco label

By using the site sensibly and integrating it into the surrounding area, as well as the quality of the services offered, the port is part of a certified qualitative and environmental approach aimed at more sustainable tourism.

European Blue Flag label

The Port de l’Épervière has been awarded the European Blue Flag for its commitment to environmental protection. This label rewards the efforts made in terms of waste management, water and energy saving and environmental awareness.

Sustainable practices and nature protection

The port implements a number of measures to preserve local flora and fauna, including regular dredging of the Rhône riverbed and the creation of protected areas for birds and fish.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway in the heart of nature or an adventure on the water, the Port de l’Épervière is the ideal place to enjoy the charms of the Rhône River and discover the hidden treasures of the Drôme.