The Port des Minimes marina could just as well have been called Maxime, as it is one of the largest in the world. Initially, this giant was only a small part of a monumental urban project designed in the 1960s to transform former marshlands once occupied by wooden shacks.
However, due to the scale of the work launched in 1972, several contractors struggled to keep up. To overcome financial obstacles, the real estate project was scaled down during the term of the new mayor of La Rochelle, Michel Crépeau. Through successive adjustments, the port continued to grow until it reached its current size. Since the inauguration of its latest expansion in 2014, the La Rochelle giant now boasts 4,500 berths spread across four basins (Bout Blanc, Marillac, Lazaret, Tamaris), including 440 visitor berths.
Given its scale, it’s no surprise that the Port des Minimes serves as the nerve center for boating in La Rochelle. The variety of businesses in the sector provides a plethora of services for boaters, from repairs, purchases, and sales to rentals and tours. This is a significant asset for many regular and occasional users.
From the open sea, the channel is entered by aligning at 59° with the two white lights of the Vieux Port (lit 24/7).
Unlike the old basins of the Vieux Port, the Port des Minimes is minimally affected by tides. The channel, dredged to 0.8m, allows sailboats with moderate drafts access to the sea more than 80% of the time.
However, caution is advised during spring tides, where the current can reach speeds over 2 knots, which may be challenging for sailboats equipped with small outboard motors.
The latest expansion of the port has significantly reduced the waiting time for obtaining a berth, which previously could take several years.
As of September 2017, the waiting times were:
-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 chargeable (15 euros 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 in transit.
Electricity, drinking water, and free Wi-Fi are available for port clients.
The fuel dock is located in the foreport on the port side when entering. Like the visitor dock, it is illuminated at night by a pink neon light. It is accessible 24/7 with payment by credit card. Private fuel cards are available at the harbor master's office.
Sanitary facilities are distributed throughout the port and accessible 24/7 with a digital code.
Note that showers are chargeable (1€ for 7 minutes) and are not included in the mooring fee.
The port offers handling and lifting services from the Marillac quay (appointments can only be made on-site or by phone). It has 3 mobile elevators, 1 30-ton mobile crane, and 2 fixed 2.5-ton electric cranes.
Boats with shallow drafts can be launched from a trailer via the harbor master's ramp (paid access with subscription options available).
Each pontoon head (at the land-based gangways) is equipped with waste containers (yellow and green bins). Glass containers are also regularly distributed.
Each breakwater also has used oil collectors.
Battery recycling bins are placed in every port building.
Central pier of the Port des Minimes marina.
– V.H.F. Channel 09
– Tel. 05 46 44 41 20
– Fax. 05 46 44 36 49
capitainerie@portlarochelle.com
Open Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Artisan Zone, Port des Minimes
Angélique FONTANAUD
Tel. 05 46 44 41 20
fontanaud@portlarochelle.com
The Port des Minimes marina could just as well have been called Maxime, as it is one of the largest in the world. Initially, this giant was only a small part of a monumental urban project designed in the 1960s to transform former marshlands once occupied by wooden shacks.
However, due to the scale of the work launched in 1972, several contractors struggled to keep up. To overcome financial obstacles, the real estate project was scaled down during the term of the new mayor of La Rochelle, Michel Crépeau. Through successive adjustments, the port continued to grow until it reached its current size. Since the inauguration of its latest expansion in 2014, the La Rochelle giant now boasts 4,500 berths spread across four basins (Bout Blanc, Marillac, Lazaret, Tamaris), including 440 visitor berths.
Given its scale, it’s no surprise that the Port des Minimes serves as the nerve center for boating in La Rochelle. The variety of businesses in the sector provides a plethora of services for boaters, from repairs, purchases, and sales to rentals and tours. This is a significant asset for many regular and occasional users.
From the open sea, the channel is entered by aligning at 59° with the two white lights of the Vieux Port (lit 24/7).
Unlike the old basins of the Vieux Port, the Port des Minimes is minimally affected by tides. The channel, dredged to 0.8m, allows sailboats with moderate drafts access to the sea more than 80% of the time.
However, caution is advised during spring tides, where the current can reach speeds over 2 knots, which may be challenging for sailboats equipped with small outboard motors.
The latest expansion of the port has significantly reduced the waiting time for obtaining a berth, which previously could take several years.
As of September 2017, the waiting times were:
-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 chargeable (15 euros 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 in transit.
Electricity, drinking water, and free Wi-Fi are available for port clients.
The fuel dock is located in the foreport on the port side when entering. Like the visitor dock, it is illuminated at night by a pink neon light. It is accessible 24/7 with payment by credit card. Private fuel cards are available at the harbor master's office.
Sanitary facilities are distributed throughout the port and accessible 24/7 with a digital code.
Note that showers are chargeable (1€ for 7 minutes) and are not included in the mooring fee.
The port offers handling and lifting services from the Marillac quay (appointments can only be made on-site or by phone). It has 3 mobile elevators, 1 30-ton mobile crane, and 2 fixed 2.5-ton electric cranes.
Boats with shallow drafts can be launched from a trailer via the harbor master's ramp (paid access with subscription options available).
Each pontoon head (at the land-based gangways) is equipped with waste containers (yellow and green bins). Glass containers are also regularly distributed.
Each breakwater also has used oil collectors.
Battery recycling bins are placed in every port building.
Central pier of the Port des Minimes marina.
– V.H.F. Channel 09
– Tel. 05 46 44 41 20
– Fax. 05 46 44 36 49
capitainerie@portlarochelle.com
Open Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Artisan Zone, Port des Minimes
Angélique FONTANAUD
Tel. 05 46 44 41 20
fontanaud@portlarochelle.com