The port
Port Camargue, in Le Grau-du-Roi (Gard), is recognised as Europe's largest pleasure marina with 5,000 berths, designed by architect Jean Balladur.
Port Camargue lies in Le Grau-du-Roi, in the Gard department of the Occitanie region, on the Mediterranean coast between La Grande-Motte and the sandy beaches of L'Espiguette. The marina borders the natural landscapes of the Rhone delta and the Camargue, close to the historic centre of Le Grau-du-Roi.
Born from the 1963 Mission Racine plan to develop the Languedoc-Roussillon coastline, the marina was designed by architect and urban planner Jean Balladur, who envisioned a marina with a town built inside it rather than a simple port town. Construction began in 1969 with the digging of the first basins, the harbour master's office opened in 1974, and the initial development was completed in 1985 before continuing through further phases. Port Camargue now covers 172 hectares and offers around 5,000 berths split between the public harbour and private marinas, making it the largest pleasure marina in Europe.
Several parts of the marina carry the "20th Century Heritage" label, including the harbour master's office with its distinctive vertical silhouette, the Grand Galion on the Quai d'Honneur, and the Camarguaises residential complex with its characteristic curved facades. Along the quays, the promenade is animated by the coming and going of sailing boats and the clinking of rigging against the masts, an atmosphere enjoyed by visitors and boat owners alike.
The marina has a full range of nautical services and professionals on site, a yacht club and active boating associations. It gives direct access to the beaches of L'Espiguette and the natural landscapes of the nearby Camargue, as well as to the historic centre of Le Grau-du-Roi, a short walk or bike ride away.
