Port de Meschers - activities and services
On the harbor, you'll find restaurants and bars where you can stroll and enjoy a drink in the seasonal sunshine.
Restaurants and bars
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...
Port services
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.
Around the port
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.
Vacation rentals in and around Meschers
History of the port of Meschers
A busy port in the 17th century
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.
19th century improvements to the port of Meschers-sur-Gironde
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.
