Explore: Gironde Estuary & Bordeaux
General Info
COVID19: OPEN PORT
- See Biosecurity for details of the latest yachting protocols.
Description:
The entrance to the wide, busy and commercial Gironde estuary lies about 40nm south of La Rochelle. After about 30 miles it splits into two. One arm is the Garonne and the other the Dordogne river. The Garonne river leads to the city of Bordeaux.
Note: Currently the port area at Bordeaux is being re-developed and there are no berths available for visiting yachts. See the Port of Bordeaux website. April 2017
Positions:
45° 36′ N, 01° 14′ W (Gironde Estuary entrance)
44° 51′ 37″N, 0° 32′ 55″W (Bacalan lock, Bordeaux)
Clearance
This is a Port of Entry.
See the main Noonsite/France/Formalities page for full details for Clearance.
If traveling up the Garrone River to Bordeaux, once the suspension bridge in view, contact the Harbourmaster either on VHF 12, if possible, or telephone 0556 315864 or 0556 905934.
Last updated: August 2021
Docking
The river is best approached just after low water as there can be strong currents at the entrance. Beware of entering in strong on-shore winds with an ebb tide.
At the entrance to the Gironde estuary, are the ports of Royan & Port Medoc One is on the north bank and the other on the south.
Further up the river is the marina at Pauillac.
Just by the Aquitaine Bridge, there is the small floating pontoon, Halte Nautique de Lormont. This is also a stop for the river taxi.
If traveling on up to Bordeaux, there is now a new bridge (named the Chaban-Delmas bridge), over the river. It is a very high vertical lift bridge and its towers are unmistakable. It is here that the entrance to the Bacalan Basin is located on the northern bank of the river.
If proceeding further up the river, note the following; On reaching the low stone bridge (was 2nd from the ocean) avoid using arches 9/10/11 counting from the west. Arch 1 is on the land with a road running under and is on the right-hand side traveling up the river. Big barges use these three arches and have to move to low water because of headroom. There are guard rails to protect the arches and at halftime, they are underwater which is dangerous. Avoid arches 2 and 16 as they are too close to the shore.
Note that Halte Nautique de Bordeaux at Le Point du Jour does not accept visitors and has not done so for many years.
Last updated: April 2017
Related Businesses
Halte Nautique de Lormont
Address: ocated just before the Aquitaine Bridge, quai Numa Sensine, 33310 Lormont, Bordeaux, Atlantic, France, 33310
Tel:(+33 (0)6 76 23 86 02 (French only)
Space limited, so call ahead. River taxi from here to Bordeaux in 15 mins.
Subject to frequent 'bumps' from... Read More
Port de Bordeaux
Address: 110 Bis Quai des Chatrons, Bordeaux, Atlantic, France, 33300
Access by lock one and half hours either side of high water. Waiting for pontoon just south of the lock entrance.
Call ahead as the lock... Read More
Courtesy Flag


YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comPublications
Atlantic France: North Biscay (The West Coast of France – Brest to Bordeaux)
See report here. By: Mike and Gill Barron Publisher : Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson; 0007- edition (July 1, 2005) ISBN-13 : 978-0852887028... Read More