A port, marshes, white silhouettes sailing on the waves, welcome to Port Maubert on the estuary of the Gironde. It is a place full of activities for athletes and contemplatives.
A port witness to estuarine life for centuries and still alive, especially thanks to the sailing school for a full sensation!
Port Maubert, old fishing village
Cradled by the winds, Port Maubert erects proud masts of its sailboats at anchor. A dance takes place between the boats, the tides and the reed bed set to music in this landscape without obstacles.
After the stroll along the estuary, it is recommended to gain altitude for an ascent to the Fanal de Beaumont, a surprising promontory. A rest area with a reading table will allow you to catch your breath. Time also for reflection on this intriguing but how useful tower …
A crush on this place where the walker has the choice! Drive along the Gironde estuary on the Canal des Deux Mers cycle route or face the hills inland to be rewarded with the magnificent view.
Port Maubert has developed over the centuries. A fishing village since the Middle Ages, it became an important commercial crossroads from the 16th century, especially for agricultural products. Thus, it linked Bordeaux to Barbezieux via Jonzac and supplied all of Haute-Saintonge. Some houses in Saint Fort-sur-Gironde bear witness to the wealth of the owner-traders of that time.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the sturgeon, very present in the Gironde estuary, gave rise to an original anecdote. A visiting Russian princess is said to have taught local fishermen how to make caviar with the eggs. Legend or true story, we invite you to visit Caviar Romanov, in the neighboring village of Chenac – St Seurin d´Uzet to unveil this anecdote.
In these contemporary times, the fishing port remains open to amateurs and boaters, sports and recreational activities are developing to the delight of visitors.
A sailing school is open to all
Open the doors of the Port Maubert Sailing School and meet Elsa, Hervé and all the nautical instructors.
All year round, or almost depending on the weather and the tides, they teach the basics of navigation thanks to a fleet of dinghies, Optimists, Twinner, dayboat, the Sun Fast 26 or even the essential Filadière.
A visit to Port Maubert is the opportunity to do an internship to improve your skills or a discovery initiation.
If the direction of the winds is not your strong point, opt for a kayak or paddle excursion with the strength of the arms!
Traditional navigation on the Gironde
Among the pleasure boats in the channel, “La Parfaite” in Haute-Saintonge is a testament to traditional fishing on the estuary. This “filadière”, type of ship, more than five centuries old, evolved on the waters of the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde for two main uses: cargo boat to transport wood, wheat, hay, and fishing boat for fish from the estuary like lampreys, shad, meager, sturgeon and many others …
Gradually, these estuary “yoles” disappeared from the port landscapes. In the early 2000s, at the initiative of the Community of Communes of Haute-Saintonge, an association of enthusiasts (Chantiers Tramasset) revived an example of this sector: “La Parfaite”.
Today, during guided 2.5 hour outings, anyone can cast off, hoist the sails and relive sailing in the footsteps of tradition.
Useful information :
ECOLE DE VOILE DE PORT MAUBERT
54 rue des pêcheurs 17240 Saint Fort sur Gironde
+33 (0)5 46 49 32 89