The port of Meschers-sur-Gironde, nestled on the right bank of the estuary, is a charming marina that combines maritime tradition with a warm welcome for tourists. It is a central anchorage for visitors to the village and for yachtsmen.
Its long history dates back to Celtic times, confirmed by archaeological excavations, and continues into the Middle Ages, when the port was used to export salt, wine and timber to the British Isles. Later, it became an embarkation point for the cod fishery to Newfoundland, and a route of exile after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
Modernization of the port began in the XIXᵉ century and continued until the end of the XXᵉ. Major projects between 1967 and 1991 transformed the area into a modern marina, completed by the construction of the harbor master's office in 2008.
Today, the port of Meschers sur Gironde has 117 berths afloat, including 6 reserved for visitors, and 107 berths in the beaching harbor.
youtube.com. It is equipped with modern infrastructures: water, electricity, wifi, showers, sanitary facilities, laundry, careening area and secure technical area for handling.
The harbor is also a lively place, with restaurants, bars on the quayside, bike rentals, nautical boutiques, and departure points for sea walks to discover the cliffs, troglodyte caves and emblematic carrelets of Meschers-sur-Gironde.
Accessible all year round, the port of Meschers sur Gironde offers a peaceful setting overlooking the estuary, perfect for waterside strolls or nautical activities. Its proximity to the village center makes for a pleasant stroll to the beaches and coastal paths. An essential stop-off to appreciate the harmony between maritime heritage and estuarine nature.
In short, this marina combines a thousand years of history, vertical infrastructures and a modern welcome, offering visitors an authentic and lively experience of the Gironde estuary.
On the harbor, you'll find restaurants and bars where you can stroll and enjoy a drink in the seasonal sunshine.
Most restaurants are located on the west side of the port. Here are a few examples, Le bistrot du port in Meschers is a well-known restaurant. But you can also discover other businesses: bike rentals, boat sales and maintenance, sea trips to discover the cliffs of Meschers, souvenir stores, etc...
There's a 28-space motorhome parking area in the harbor. The service is fee-paying and comes with all amenities: wastewater, electric hook-up, drinking water and wifi. A few hundred meters away, you can take advantage of the laundromat.
From the port of Meschers, you can go to Talmont On Gironde. A cycle path runs along the coast through Port Maran. This path is also used by walkers, sports enthusiasts and fishermen. All along the walk from the port, you'll have a breathtaking view of the village of Talmont sur Gironde.
In the 17th century, Meschers appears to have been a very active port, trading with the port of Bordeaux:
"In 1600, Meschers was a major trading center, with 30 vessels, some of which carried 90 barrels, and 60 merchants.
Meschers had 55 pounds of salt marshes, more productive than the best marshes in the Marennes district. Grain is an important export item in the Cozes cantoj. It is shipped to Meschers and Les Monnards.
The boats from these two ports are between 10 and 30 tons, and transport to Bordeaux, in addition to grain, calves, sheep, pigs, poultry, butter and eggs; they bring back colonial goods, oils, soaps from Provence, resins from the moors, etc.; there is a small trade in brandy.
The port of Meschers underwent a number of improvements during the 19th century, giving it the appearance we know today, with its straight channel leading to a lock and then a basin:
"The port of Meschers has been much improved since 1814; the channel, which was very winding, has been made straight, and a flushing lock has been built in its upstream section, while retaining a holding basin at the back to ensure its maintenance.
In 1885, there were 5 fishing boats of around 3 tons and 2 30-ton barges belonging to this maritime establishment.
Boats from the neighboring ports of Les Monnards, Saint Seurlin and Mortagne bring in and take away goods. Exports include livestock, butter, eggs, poultry, wheat, corn, oats, baillarge, beans, straw, garlic, hay, wine and spirits, firewood and timber, fish and shellfish. Extract from History of Royan, Gaston Noblet, 1905.
Meschersa former fishing village with pretty beaches, has become a family-friendly seaside resort away from the crowded beaches of the Côte de Beauté.
