Publication date: 01/17/2025
What are the advantages of our dry port compared with other Mediterranean dry ports?
Port Maritima, Port Navy Services, Port du Gapeau, Port Pin Rolland, Chantier Naval de Provence… there are many other infrastructures and dry ports in the Mediterranean. But none offer the quality of infrastructure and services of Port Napoléon – the Mediterranean dry port of the Port Adhoc group.
In our port, the large dock can comfortably accommodate ships, and the handling and storage facilities have been selected to suit the biggest and most beautiful boats.
The ships are parked on very high quality berths: rigid, very strong and stable. They are made of steel up to 10 mm thick, compared with 3 or 4 mm for the berths generally used in dry ports. They enable rapid handling and optimum positioning of the boat: once the vessel has been secured, the cradle and ship are transported by hydraulic trailers with a capacity of 30 to 80 tonnes. Of course, they also guarantee the safety of the ships, even in strong Mistral winds.
When a boat is parked in a dry port, boat insurance only applies in so-called ‘normal’ conditions – weather events and gales aside. So the quality of the bowsers is an essential factor to take into account!
For boaters who want to keep their boats dry and under cover, Port Napoléon has the largest boat storage shed on the French Mediterranean coast: 10,000 m² dedicated to preserving boats!
As our port is a mixed port, it is a dry port as well as a wet port. So when your vessel is launched, you can park it afloat for a preparatory stopover or for trials. Everyone knows how stressful it can be to have to leave in a hurry, without having had time to check that your engine is working properly, that your hull passes are watertight, that your sails are rigged or that you have checked your mooring…
What types of boat are accepted in our Mediterranean dry port?
Our dry port in the Mediterranean welcomes all powerboats, monohulls and multihulls. Owners wishing to store their vessel at Port Napoléon must ensure that the size of their boat does not exceed the capacity of our port (see below).
How to access to our dry port in the Mediterranean?
- From land: Our dry port is located in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, 1 hour’s drive from Marseille and Nîmes, 1 hour 20 minutes from Avignon and 1 hour 40 minutes from Montpellier. The nearest SNCF station is Fos-sur-Mer, 30 kilometres away. Once in Fos-sur-Mer, the Ulysse bus network provides a connection to Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. We have negotiated preferential rates with local taxis: don’t hesitate to ask us!
- From the sea: Port Napoléon is located at the end of the Canal Saint Antoine – a 4-metre-deep marked access channel leading into the Gulf of Fos Sur Mer.
How do you park your car in our Mediterranean dry port?
For daily and short-term parking, it is possible to park alongside the quay or near the boats on land. Vehicles must not interfere with the manoeuvring of handling equipment. For longer-term parking, Port Napoléon has an outdoor car park for light vehicles. It is open all year round and there is no time limit. You can also park your car inside our hangar during the summer, for the duration of your outing at sea. This is a covered, secure parking area that can be booked at the harbour master’s office.
What is the storage capacity of the Mediterranean dry port?
Port Napoléon is one of the largest dry ports in the Mediterranean. With a usable surface area of 13 hectares, it offers around 1,200 premium boat storage spaces: 1,000 outdoor dry berths and a 10,000 m² indoor parking area in a closed hangar, accommodating an average of 200 boats.
The berths are accessible and comfortable, making it easy to handle boats, store them safely and carry out servicing, overhaul and maintenance work.
What are the maximum dimensions and weights for putting your boat on dry land in Port Napoléon?
To store a boat in this Mediterranean dry port, there are a few dimensions and weights to be respected. First of all, to use the channel and sail in the harbour with a motorboat or sailboat, your vessel must have a draught of less than 4 metres.
The port’s facilities can handle boats of up to 25 metres in length and 65 tonnes in total weight. The dock is 6.95 metres wide.
Port Napoléon – Handling capacity
| Caracteristic | Maximum value |
|---|---|
| Length | 25 metres |
| Width | 6,95 metres |
| Draft | 4 metres |
| Weight | 65 tonnes |
For storage in the closed hangar of our dry port in the Mediterranean, the characteristics of the boats must allow them to pass through the door of the building:
- The width of the vessel, or beam, must be less than 9.60 metres wide
- The boat on its handling equipment must not exceed 9.40 metres in height.
What handling equipment does the port have?
Port Napoléon is one of the best-equipped dry ports in the Mediterranean. It has a wide range of handling equipment to accommodate almost every type of boat.
Among the equipment available at our Mediterranean dry port:
- A 65-tonne capacity travelift
- Several trailers – 30, 45, 65 and 80 tonnes
- A 65-tonne trailer for transporting catamarans of up to 20 metres in length
- A 50-tonne capacity crane with a 38-metre jib
- A 26-metre gondola
Port Napoléon’s equipment is regularly overhauled and always operated by professional, experienced port agents.
How are boats stored in the Mediterranean dry port?
Open to the Grande Bleue, Port Napoléon offers two types of dry ports:
- A landscaped outdoor platform
- A covered and enclosed hangar
Both dry boat storage options are suitable for motorboats and sailing boats. For each of these parking solutions, the vessels are placed on bays, in safety, by specialist teams.
How are boats protected from the elements?
Dry protection, on the external platform
Outdoors, the boats entrusted to the Port Napoléon Mediterranean dry port are positioned on very high quality berths. They are orientated in line with the wind and deliberately positioned close together, to reduce the wind load as much as possible.
Preservation of boats in the closed hangar
In the enclosed hangar of our Mediterranean dry port, motorboats and sailing boats are protected from the sun, wind, damp, salt, frost… or any other bad weather!
What services does our Mediterranean dry port offer?
The multitude of services offered at Port Napoléon helps to make our port the best dry port in the Mediterranean.
At Port Napoléon, for example, you’ll find all the facilities, skills and assistance you need to wash, maintain, careen, repair or winterize your boat.
Fittings professional, broker, shipyard, painter, saddler, sailmaker, mechanic, air conditioning professional, electrician, boilermaker, rigger… on site, technicians and specialists from all the nautical trades will be able to advise and assist you.
Wi-Fi, water and electricity points, a restaurant and fuel delivery are also available.
What careening and maintenance options are available in this dry port?
In the Mediterranean, the dry port of Port Napoléon enables all types of boat to be careened and maintained. Port facilities include a careening area, a mast storage area and containers for storing equipment that needs to be removed.
The spacing between boats and access to electricity in all areas means that you can easily carry out small jobs yourself, without affecting neighbouring boats. As our Mediterranean dry port is very committed to respecting the environment, work on the boats is supervised and dedicated areas are set aside for larger jobs (sandblasting, painting, etc.).
Users wishing to call on professionals to careen or maintain their boat or overhaul their equipment can take advantage of a wide range of technical facilities directly within the harbour, with all trades represented.
Do professionals have access to the Mediterranean dry port sites?
Boat storage in our Mediterranean dry port is available to both private and professional boaters. Our boat storage service for companies allows you to park a whole fleet of vessels in the outdoor dry port of Port Napoléon or in our closed hangar.
Indoor and outdoor storage spaces are available from one week up to a full year. Fleet hire companies, shipyards and dealers, for example, are very welcome.
How much notice do I need to give the dry port before taking my boat out or putting it in the water?
For all handling operations – launching, lowering, moving, rigging or dismasting – the port teams work by appointment only. The harbour master manages the entire schedule, and must be informed in advance.
Depending on the time of year, boat movements may be in high demand and handling times may be longer. In low season, it may be sufficient to book handling 48 hours in advance. However, during the summer season, it is advisable to plan ahead and notify the harbour master’s office at least two weeks before the desired date.
How long does handling take?
Thanks to the way our appointments are organised, our technicians are very punctual, and the vessels are launched in just 15 to 30 minutes. Landings take a little longer, as the hull of the lifted vessel is high-pressure washed.
It is preferable for the owner or his representative to be present at each handling operation.
What are the access times for launching and storage?
Motorboats and sailing boats can be launched between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 5 or 6 days a week (depending on the season).
How is the dry port of Port Napoléon investing in the environment?
In our Mediterranean dry port, some operations are regulated. For example, the careening and cleaning of boat hulls must be carried out in specific areas. Particular attention is also paid to waste water discharges.
As part of its ‘Clean Port‘ certification, our marina also has a waste management area. It is identified by ‘Clean Point’ signage and allows all users to deposit their waste from yachting – whether ordinary or hazardous.
Is our dry port in the Mediterranean under surveillance?
Like all Port Adhoc Group facilities, our dry port at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is fully secure. The port is under video surveillance, with entry reserved for vehicles registered with our number plate recognition system.
4 to 6 people are permanently on site, ensuring a continuous presence.
How much does it cost to store a boat in a dry port in the Mediterranean?
In the Mediterranean, the cost of a dry port berth always depends on the characteristics of the vessel and the desired duration of parking.
The first price for a dry berth in the Mediterranean, at Port Napoléon, is less than €140 incl. VAT per month for an 8 to 9 metres vessel (for year-round storage).
The rate is always proportional to the length of the commitment, whatever the type of boat concerned: an annual rate is proportionally cheaper than a monthly rate.
The table below shows the 2025 rates applicable to Port Napoléon:
Rates in our Mediterranean dry port
| Hull length (metres) | Week | Month | Semestrer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 127 € | 296 € | 1 117 € | 1 642 € |
| 9 | 150 € | 350 € | 1 320 € | 1 941 € |
| 10 | 180 € | 420 € | 1 584 € | 2 329 € |
| 11 | 207 € | 483 € | 1 822 € | 2 679 € |
| 12 | 238 € | 572 € | 2 096 € | 3 081 € |
| 13 | 237 € | 628 € | 2 302 € | 3 384 € |
| 14 | 282 € | 725 € | 2 739 € | 4 027 € |
| 15 | 347 € | 866 € | 3 371 € | 4 956 € |
| 16 | 401 € | 1 031 € | 4 012 € | 5 900 € |
| 17 | 426 € | 1 095 € | 4 263 € | 6 269 € |
| 18 | 468 € | 1 202 € | 4 678 € | 6 879 € |
| 19 | 497 € | 1 277 € | 4 973 € | 7 313 € |
| 20 | 528 € | 1 357 € | 5 282 € | 7 767 € |
| 21 | 560 € | 1 439 € | 5 601 € | 8 236 € |
| 22 | 622 € | 1 598 € | 6 034 € | 9 147 € |
| 23 | 651 € | 1 674 € | 6 323 € | 9 586 € |
| 24 | 696 € | 1 789 € | 6 755 € | 10 241 € |
| 25 | 724 € | 1 862 € | 7 033 € | 10 662 € |
➡️ Find out more about Port Napoléon rates
Water is included in the package for the Mediterranean dry port of Port Napoléon, and access has never been banned by the prefecture. Electricity is charged as part of the package. The rate is €5/day or €120/month for a 220V/16A socket.
What is the minimum duration for storing a boat in our dry port?
You can store your boat in our dry port on the Mediterranean for as little as one week. Storing packages are available on a weekly, monthly, half-yearly or annual basis.
How do I reserve a berth in a dry port?
To make a reservation in our Mediterranean dry port, you can send a request via the contact section of our website or directly to the port office in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.
We will provide you with all the additional information you need. Depending on availability, we will offer you an immediate booking, or put your boat on a waiting list.
Are all boats accepted in the Mediterranean dry port?
The Port Napoléon teams are very vigilant about the quality of the ships they put ashore. This is why you will be asked to provide recent, representative photos of the condition of your vessel when you make your reservation. If, when the vessel arrives, the condition does not correspond to that shown in the photos, the vessel may be refused permission to land.
The age of the vessel is not a criterion for acceptance or rejection: 100-year-old sailing ships, for example, are regularly welcomed! On the other hand, our teams sometimes have to turn down more recent vessels that are in too poor a condition.
Please also note: it is not permitted to live or live aboard ships in our dry port, apart from occasional stays to prepare or winterize ships.
How far in advance should I book a berth in a Mediterranean dry port?
In Port Napoléon, as in the other Mediterranean dry ports, the number of spaces available varies according to the season. That’s why the Port Adhoc team advises you to reserve your place in our dry port as soon as possible, once you’ve made your choice between outdoor and indoor storage.
Dry port storage in the Mediterranean during the low season
Dry berths on our quay or in our hangar are particularly popular in winter. This is the classic wintering period for boats! So if you want to secure a berth in a Mediterranean dry port for the winter, we advise you to make arrangements several months in advance.
Parking in Mediterranean dry ports in high season
During the peak sailing season, between April and October, there is less demand for dry port parking in the Mediterranean – but it’s not non-existent!
Port Napoléon users still store their boats when they’re away, for example to carry out small or large jobs. For dry parking during the summer season, we therefore recommend that you book early.
What shops are close to the Mediterranean dry port?
Port Napoléon is very well equipped. Boaters in our dry port have access to an Intermarché drive equipped with cold positive and negative lockers for receiving groceries. A Uship shop sells nautical equipment and gas. A restaurant serves the best local dishes and fresh bread. A hotel – currently undergoing renovation – has a capacity of 15 rooms.
Can I buy or sell a boat in Port Napoléon?
Yes, there are on average around a hundred boats for sale in our Mediterranean dry port: sailing yachts, speedboats, monohulls and multihulls. On-site brokers offer their services to ensure that your transactions are carried out under the best possible conditions.
What do boaters think of our Mediterranean dry port?
“Port Napoléon in Port-Saint-Louis is a destination of choice for boaters and lovers of the sea. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The facilities are modern and well-maintained, offering everything you could need for a day at sea or an extended stopover. The staff are friendly and always ready to help, making the experience even more enjoyable. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, with stunning water views and peaceful surroundings.
Whether you’re an experienced sailor or just a fan of boat trips, Port Napoléon is sure to meet your expectations.
This is the place to be if you want to enjoy the pleasures of the water! 🛥️😊 “
Les aventures de TAO (Yannick), 2024
“A place at the end of the world. The port is very pleasant for preparing your boat for a round-the-world trip. The technical facilities are top-notch and all the staff are extremely friendly.”
David LIOPE, 2024
Whether you’re looking for a dry port in Cap d’Agde, a dry port in Hyères, a dry port in Canet-en-Roussillon or, perhaps, a dry port in Gruissan, we advise you to consider boat storage in Port Napoléon.
Whether you’re a private individual or a professional, our dry port at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is probably your best option!
If you still have doubts or questions, contact our team: our agents will be happy to advise you.
