Le Port des Minimes

The birth of a giant

The Les Minimes marina could undoubtedly have been called Maximes, as it is one of the largest in the world. Initially, this giant represented only a small part of a pharaonic urban project designed in the 1960s to redevelop former marshlands occupied by wooden shacks.

However, faced with the scale of the works launched in 1972, several contractors failed. To overcome the financial obstacles, the real estate project was scaled down under the mandate of the new mayor of La Rochelle, Michel Crépeau. From one redesign to another, the port continued to grow until reaching its current size. Since the inauguration of its latest extension in 2014, the La Rochelle colossus now offers 4,500 berths on pontoons spread over four basins (Bout Blanc, Marillac, Lazaret, Tamaris), including 440 visitor berths.

With such dimensions, it is hardly surprising that Les Minimes marina hosts the nerve center of recreational boating in La Rochelle. The diversity of companies in the sector therefore offers a wide range of services for boaters, whether for repairing, buying, selling, renting or visiting. A significant asset for many regular and occasional users.

Access to Les Minimes marina

From offshore, entry into the channel is made by aligning at 59° with the two white lights of the Old Port (lit 24/7).

Unlike the old basins of the Old Port, Les Minimes marina is very little constrained by tides. The channel dredged to 0.8 m allows sailboats with average draft access to the sea more than 80% of the time.

Be careful however during spring tides, when the current can reach speeds exceeding 2 knots, sometimes difficult to counter for sailboats equipped with small outboard engines.

How long to obtain a berth?

The latest extension of the marina has significantly reduced the waiting time to obtain a berth, which previously could reach several years.

In September 2017, waiting times were as follows:

- 1 to 2 months for an 8-meter boat
- 1 year for a 10-meter boat
- 14 months for a 12-meter boat.

Registration on the waiting list is free. It becomes paid (€15 per month) upon renewal at the beginning of the following year.

Finally, the waiting list remains free for a boat staying more than two months on stopover.

Services

Electricity, drinking water and free Wi-Fi for marina customers.

The fuel dock is located in the outer harbor on the port side when entering. Like the visitor dock, it is lit at night by a pink neon light. It is accessible 24/7 with credit card payment. Private fuel cards are available at the harbor master’s office.

Restrooms are distributed throughout the marina and accessible 24/7 with a digital code.

Note that showers are paid (€1 for 7 minutes) and are not included in the mooring fee.

The marina offers handling and lifting services from Marillac quay (appointments on site or by phone only). It has 3 mobile hoists, 1 self-propelled 30-ton crane and 2 fixed electric cranes of 2.5 tons.

Shallow-draft boats can be launched from a trailer via the harbor master’s slipway (paid access with subscription options).

Each pontoon head (near the shore gangways) is equipped with waste containers (yellow and green bins). Glass containers are also regularly distributed.

Each breakwater also provides used oil collection points.

Battery recycling bins are placed in each marina building.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Les Minimes Harbor Master’s Office

Central mole of Les Minimes marina.
– V.H.F. Channel 09
– Tel. +33 (0)5 46 44 41 20
– Fax. +33 (0)5 46 44 36 49

capitainerie@portlarochelle.com

Handling and lifting service

Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Les Minimes industrial zone

Tel.: +33 (0)5 46 44 91 16

grutage@portlarochelle.com

Environmental services

Angélique FONTANAUD
Tel. +33 (0)5 46 44 41 20

fontanaud@portlarochelle.com

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