Located at the embouchure of the Grand Rhône, Port Saint-Louis du Rhône lives off nautical activities and merchant shipping between the river and the Mediterranean sea. Fishing, seafood, yachting, beaches and water sports make this port city attractive and popular to visitors.
The destiny of Port Saint-Louis du Rhône changed in 1711 when a large flood unexpectedly designed a new river bed, submerging most of the territory. For the next century, important works aimed to confine the new river arm, dig the Saint Louis canal and develop the port. The city became the outer harbor of Arles until the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1960s, the development of the industrial port area of Fos-sur-Mer monopolized harbor activities to the detriment of Port Saint-Louis du Rhône. But the beautiful landscapes and the special town character allow the city to switch economic activities to seaside tourism and water sports. Port Saint-Louis du Rhône has managed to adapt to new economic realities and to revitalize its territory, to promote it and do anything necessary to preserve the quality of life.
Amazing spots in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
The Saint-Louis tower
Built in 1737, it was both a watchtower and a refuge for the population. Today, it houses the tourist office and an exceptional ornithological collection. From its terrace, you can admire the stunning panorama of the Camargue, from the Rhône to the salt marshes. The gardens around the Tower reach out to the banks of the Rhône. Have yourself a family moment there before moving on to a game of mini-golf.
The cabanons
Dockers and shipyard workers were the first inhabitants of Port Saint-Louis. They built small houses between the river and the sea. These rough and ready constructions built with reused materials and resources from the marshes are typical of the close-to-nature way of life of the PortSaint-Louisians. They represent a true popular heritage that is passed on from generation to generation.
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The Barcarin ferry
Discover and enjoy Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Swimming, water activities, fishing
The beaches of Port Saint-Louis du Rhône are surrounded by protected areas. Make the most of it by observing and reconnecting to nature.
Looking for coldness?
Close to the city center, you will find the beach Olga with its picturesque little port and over 350 meters of family approved sandbank. It is very popular with sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and funboard enthusiasts.
At the municipal nautical base of Carteau, on the Presqu’île du Mazet, a wide range of water activities is proposed to single travelers, groups and families.
Looking for nature?
The beach Napoleon with its large dunes is one of the largest beaches in the Camargue: 10 kilometers of fine sand invite visitors to fully enjoy the Mediterranean. To get there, leave the city center, pass the lock and take the Route Napoléon. Flamingos, wild ducks, ponds and marshes, reeds will lead the way. In summer, a bus serves the beach and lifeguards watch over the safety of swimmers.
Looking for action?
Have you ever tried sailing on land, or rather on sand. Get started and practice sand yachting. The association Green Bull, affiliated to the French Federation of Sand Yachting proposes this activity. Reach out for unique sensations on the great beach Napoleon.
Looking for space?
Check out a spot across Olga beach, a well-known kitesurf spot with shallow water. Located in the cove of Carteau, a Natura 2000 site, you can practice angling on the banks of the dike that leads to the lighthouse. You can also go sailing with the nautical center or choose other activities.
Escape
Take a typical local boat called Négo-chin for an unusual visit in a marsh with mangrove-like nature. Négo-Chin means dog drowner, it’s a rather unstable boat. Your guide “partègue” with the long wooden pole, pushing it into the swampy ground to move the boat forward. Be sure to disconnect and enter into symbiosis with nature. Booking at the Tourist Office of Port Saint-Louis du Rhône.
Highlights
The Camargue and Rhône delta Festival
In May, during 5 days, the festival offers outings, exhibitions, shows, master classes and workshops on nature and biodiversity of the Rhône delta. On foot, on horseback, by bike or on a boat, more than a hundred guided outings are organized throughout the delta, from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to Port-Saint-Louis and Arles. One day is dedicated to local traditions and know-how. Producers and craftsmen of the Camargue showcase their art and productions..
The harbor evenings by the Docks
In July and August, every evening, restaurants and local producers welcome you in the marina to savor local specialities and seafood. The Festival committee of Port-Saint-Louis du Rhône guarantees a musical and festive ambiance and family atmosphere.
Harbor wednesdays by Citron Jaune
A free street art festival with the harbor as a background. An eccentric program with a large range of high quality street art performances throughout the month of July.
Ecotourisme – Nature walks
It’s a lovely 2,5 hours walk along the embouchure of the Rhône, between dunes and marshes. The They du Mazet is a sand formation shaped by the sea and the river. It bears witness to the changes in the Rhône delta over time. Regularly submerged, it is a feeding, resting and breeding area for many bird species. Along the trail, you will find many points of interest and viewpoint diagrams freely accessible throughout the year. .
Port Saint-Louis du Rhône is also the arrival point of the ViaRhône, a 815 km cycling trail starting at the Franco-Swiss border. You can also choose the Van Gogh bridge in Arles as a starting point, leaving a route of 53 km to Port Saint-Louis du Rhône.
Oysters and mussels of Camargue
The southbound cove of Carteau, where the freshwater of the Rhône and the salty water of the Mediterranean mingle, is largely dedicated to oyster and shellfish farming. The ecosystem is perfect for this activity : full of sediments, limestone and other nutrients brought by the Rhône. This is where the Camargue oyster gets its typical hazelnut taste, low salinity and iodized flavor from. It has found its way to the finest restaurants.
