France — Gironde & Charente-Maritime

Gironde — Mortagne-sur-Gironde

Mortagne · Port de Mortagne

45°28.6'N 000°48.1'W

Depth

3–7m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

75m

Holding

Excellent Holding

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

75m

75m on excellent mud — outstanding holding. Strong ebb current 2–3kt in the Gironde. Quiet S bank anchorage. Commercial traffic uses main channel N of anchorage.

About This Anchorage

Mortagne-sur-Gironde is a quiet village on the S bank of the Gironde estuary, set among the limestone hills and vineyards of the Charente-Maritime. The anchorage here is one of the most peaceful in the Gironde — off the main tourist track, with excellent mud holding and views across the wide estuary to the Médoc vineyards. The region is historically significant: the Grotte de Pair-Non-Pair near Bourg-sur-Gironde (6km NE) contains prehistoric engravings among the oldest in France, predating Lascaux by several thousand years. The surrounding Entre-Deux-Mers and Blaye wine appellations produce excellent and underrated white wines — often available at the village itself.

Protected From

N · NW · W · SW

Exposed To

E · NE

Setting Your Anchor

!Tidal depth planning: Tidal range in this region is 4–5m on spring tides. Always calculate your depth at LW before anchoring — anchor in at least 4m at LW to ensure you remain afloat throughout the tidal cycle.
!Oyster stake avoidance: This region is France's primary oyster production area. Oyster stakes pierce hulls — stay strictly within marked clear zones. SHOM chart 7426 (Arcachon Basin) or appropriate chart shows all farm boundaries. When in doubt, do not anchor.
iMud holding notes: Mud bottom in this anchorage provides excellent holding — modern anchors (SPADE, Rocna) set quickly and hold firmly. Use 5:1 scope minimum; 7:1 in strong tidal current. Let the anchor set before leaving the boat.

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free
Permit required
No
Mooring buoys
No

Restrictions: Strong ebb current 2–3kt — set anchor firmly. Commercial traffic in main Gironde channel (N side) — maintain clearance. Tidal range 3–4m. Port de Mortagne has a small quay — check depth before approaching by dinghy at LW.

Hazards

  • !TIDAL CURRENT 2–3kt ebb in the Gironde: anchor drag risk; set firmly and check with your alarm
  • !TIDAL RANGE 3–4m: calculate depth at LW; estuary edges dry
  • !COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC: large Gironde vessels use main channel N side — anchor on S bank clear of channel

Skipper's Tips

  • →Visit the Grotte de Pair-Non-Pair near Bourg-sur-Gironde — prehistoric engravings (auroch, horse, ibex) among the oldest in France.
  • →The local Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux white wine is one of France's great underrated wines — available at the village.
  • →This is one of the quietest anchorages in the Gironde — ideal for those wanting to escape the summer crowds at Arcachon.

Facilities

✗ Water✗ Fuel✓ Restaurant✗ Provisions✗ WiFi

Small restaurant and café in Mortagne village; local wine shop selling Blaye and Entre-Deux-Mers wines.

Nearest provisions: Blaye (12nm)

Best Months & Season

May, June, July, August, September

May–September. Very quiet anchorage. Excellent base for exploring the Gironde's historic S bank.

Recommended Anchor Types

SPADERocnaDeltaCQR

Nearby Anchorages

Gironde — Talmont-sur-Gironde

4–9m · sand · 80m alarm

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Gironde — Île Nouvelle

3–7m · sand · 75m alarm

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Royan — Gironde Entrance Staging Anchorage

4–10m · sand · 90m alarm

View guide →

Sleep Peacefully at Gironde — Mortagne-sur-Gironde

With a 4–5m tidal change overnight and tidal current in the Gironde & Charente-Maritime, your boat's position and swinging circle change significantly through the night. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — so a dragging anchor or unexpected current sets off the alarm before you drift into trouble.

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