port-saint-louis-du-rhone

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is a French commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône département, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The town is ideally located at the mouth of the Rhône River, close to the Mediterranean Sea. Its strategic position makes it an ideal location for river and sea tourism.

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône ?

Founded in 1904, the town owes its name to its proximity to the River Rhône and the former Saint-Louis chapel. The town’s strategic position, between the mouth of the Rhône and the Gulf of Fos, gives it direct access to the Mediterranean and makes it an ideal location for water sports activities.

The Rhône, one of the largest rivers in Western Europe, flows through the town, forming a vast delta, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Its calm, majestic waters offer a striking contrast to the waves of the Mediterranean, creating a landscape of exceptional beauty. The banks of the Rhône are the ideal place for a leisurely stroll, where you can admire the local flora and fauna, as well as the fishing boats and pleasure craft that sail peacefully on its waters.

The surrounding Camargue region, famous for its exceptional biodiversity, is a real natural gem to discover during your stay in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. You can see pink flamingos, wild horses and Camargue bulls in their natural habitat, while soaking up the unspoilt beauty of this unique region between sea and river.

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône has a rich and varied history, closely linked to its port activity. In the past, the port was a major economic hub, facilitating trade between the Mediterranean and inland Europe. Today, it continues to play a vital role in the regional economy, as a fishing and yachting port.

Map of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

Ports in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

The history of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is closely linked to its flourishing port activity. Vestiges of this rich maritime past remain today, testifying to the economic vitality of the region over the centuries.

In the Middle Ages, the port enjoyed a period of prosperity, with the development of maritime and river trade, as well as the construction of fortifications to protect the town from invasion. Vestiges of this eventful period still remain today, bearing witness to the region’s rich historical past.

From the 19th century onwards, the port of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône underwent a new phase of expansion, with the growth of the maritime industry and the construction of docks and warehouses to accommodate merchant ships. The construction of the Rhône-Sète navigation canal, inaugurated in 1838, strengthened the port’s strategic position by facilitating the transport of goods to the hinterland.

During the 20th century, the port was modernised to adapt to the demands of the globalised economy, with the construction of new port infrastructures and the installation of state-of-the-art equipment for loading and unloading ships.

Today, the Port of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is a multi-faceted port. It continues to be an essential link in the regional logistics chain, welcoming merchant ships, fishing boats and pleasure yachts.

The various ports are evolving to meet modern needs, while preserving their authentic charm. They welcome traditional fishing boats, river tourism boats and pleasure yachts, creating a dynamic and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Map of the ports of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

Ports in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Source: PACA inventory

River tourism in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône enjoys a privileged geographical location, between the Rhône River and the Mediterranean Sea. This strategic position makes it a natural crossroads for maritime and river trade. Visitors can admire the region’s contrasting landscapes, from the calm banks of the Rhône to the wild expanses of the Camargue and the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean.

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône offers a unique experience for river tourism enthusiasts. Here are a few ways to make the most of your stay:

  • Explore the Rhône by boat: Hire a boat or take a cruise to discover the picturesque landscapes and unique biodiversity of the Rhône.
  • Discover the Camargue: Take advantage of your stay in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône to explore the famous Camargue region, known for its exceptional flora and fauna.
  • Take part in water sports: Take advantage of the many activities available, such as sailing, kayaking and fishing, to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean coastline.
  • Visit historic sites: Explore the region’s historic sites, such as the Roman remains at Arles or the medieval fortifications at Aigues-Mortes.

The town also organises events linked to the maritime world. These events contribute to the appeal of the area and reinforce its cultural identity. Notable events include :

  • La Fête de la Mer: an annual event celebrating the local maritime heritage and offering a variety of activities for young and old.
  • Les Régates de Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône: nautical competitions that bring together sailing enthusiasts.

Ideally located between the Rhône and the Mediterranean, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône has several ports for maritime, river, economic and tourist activities.

Napoléon beach
Napoléon beach

Port Napoléon

Port Napoléon is strategically located at the mouth of the Rhône River, close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Covering an area of 13 hectares, the port has more than 1,000 berths on dry docks, 350 moorings and 40 berths for passage, as well as a range of nautical facilities and services:

  • 65-tonne travel lift
  • Water/electricity terminals
  • Careening area
  • Sales showroom equipped with an access gangway
  • Mast storage area
  • Storage containers
  • Free WiFi
  • 3 electric car charging points
  • Hangar space
  • Air conditioning, electricity and marine electronics
  • Marine mechanics
  • Painting
  • Saddlery and sail making
  • Underwater work

Its privileged position makes it a focal point for many complementary activities:

  • Marinas, afloat harbours
  • Refit harbour
  • Wintering harbour
  • Year-round second-hand boat show (brokers)
  • Shipyards
  • Catamaran reception
  • Harbour master services
Port Napoléon
Port Napoléon / Adhoc

Information and contact

For all information you can contact the Port Napoléon directly:

  • Telephone:
    33(0)4 42 48 41 21
  • eMail
  • VHF 9
  • GPS coordinates :
    43.3776597,4.8302825
  • Address:
    Rue Canal Saint Antoine l’Ermite, Presqu’île du Mazet, 13230 Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
  • Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, closed at weekends
  • Website

Map of Port Napoléon

The town’s marina

The Port-Saint-Louis marina is located in the town centre, with wide quays, a large turning area and a deep draught for most pleasure boats.

Access is possible from the Rhône via the Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône lock or from the Mediterranean via the Canal Saint-Louis. The marina has disabled access.

The marina’s services include

  • The harbourmaster’s office
  • A yacht club
  • Wi-Fi for yachtsmen
  • Showers and toilets
  • Bike hire
  • Shops nearby
Saint-Louis marina
Saint-Louis marina / Martigues Tourism

Information and contact

For further information, please contact the town’s marina directly:

Marina location map

Other smaller marinas are also available in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.

Port Navy Service

The Port Navy Service is Europe’s largest dry port. For over 30 years, it has welcomed and developed services for sailing boats, yachts, multihulls, catamarans and trimarans.

It has been offering a full range of nautical services to meet the diverse needs of yachtsmen for 33 years. With 1,500 outdoor berths for boats from 6 to 25 metres in length, the harbour offers accommodation solutions for a wide variety of pleasure craft.

Boasting exceptional berthing capacity, it extends over a 23-hectare park, including 15,000 m2 of hangar space.

Equipment available:

  • 120-tonne and 50-tonne travel lift
  • Trailers for monohulls and multihulls up to 50 tonnes
  • A telescopic crane for masts up to 40 metres long
  • An 8.15-metre dock (July 2020)
  • A 10-metre-wide launching ramp with a useful passage of 13 metres
  • A reception quay with an 8-metre draught
  • Handling equipment

Navy Service dry port services include

  • A parking area
  • Brokerage service
  • 2200 m2 careening area
  • Berthing and launching
  • A restaurant
Port Navy Service
Port Navy Service

Information and contact

For further information, please contact Port Napoléon directly:

Location map of the dry port

Olga marina

The Association des Plaisanciers de la Plage Nord was founded in 1987. In the early days, boats were moored on the northern beach, also known as the Olga beach. During the 1980s and 1990s, development work was undertaken, and in 1992 a proper harbour was built. Over the years, development has progressed, with the first wharves being built in 2000, followed by others since then.

The North Beach marina is located between the Canal Saint-Louis (north bank) and the Olga dock in the Gulf of Fos. It is protected by a rockfill dyke that runs in line with the Saint-Louis canal.

Port Olga has a surface area of around 14,000 m² with 140 berths. The port, which is 1.2 metres deep, is equipped with 4 floating wharves ranging in length from 48 to 80 metres, with a careening area for the maintenance of boats up to 9 metres long.

Port Olga
Port Olga / Floyd Daryl

Location and contact

Here is some additional information for locating and contacting the port:

Location map of Port d’Olga

The Marina of Carteau

The port of Carteau was developed from the 1960s and then gradually throughout the 1970s, with the construction of an inclined plane.

It is a small port with around 90 berths on the south bank of the Saint-Louis canal, close to its opening onto the Gulf of Fos.

With a surface area of around 6,000 m², it is equipped with a launching crane, located in the careening area. The quays are concrete, while two wooden gangways provide access to the boats on the west side of the harbour. The harbour entrance is marked by a white turret topped by a red traffic light.

The harbour is located close to the Carteau nautical base.

Corteau harbour
Corteau harbour / Floyd Daryl

Location and contact

Here is some additional information to locate and contact the port of Carteau:

Map of the location of the port of Carteau

Le Port Abri du Rhône Antoine Jover

Located upstream of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, the Port Abri du Rhône Antoine Jover offers an ideal stopover for yachtsmen, both sheltered and close to the Mediterranean Sea on the River Rhône.

Owned by the local council, it was converted into a marina in 1992. Since 2007, it has been managed by the Amicale des Plaisanciers de la Grande Bouche (APGB), named after one of its former presidents.

The river port is located on the left bank of the Grand Rhône. The basin, divided in two by a pontoon, offers mooring spaces for 180 pleasure boats and 3 passage spaces.

Designed to take up little space on the river, the harbour is set back inland. It is protected by a wooded dyke aligned with the river banks, leaving an opening to the south for boat access. A launching ramp equipped with rails facilitates the entry and exit of boats to the south.

The harbourmaster’s office is located on the north quay.

The harbour Antoine Jover
The harbour Antoine Jover / Havard Isabelle

Information and contact

Here is some additional information to locate the port of Carteau and contact its team:

Map of the location of the port Antoine Jover

In connection with the Rhône river

Activities, leisure, Rhone River
Hotel, rental
Activities, visits, tickets, leisure
Activities, visits, tickets, leisure