Port de pêche

Port de la Cotinière is a French fishing harbour with drying berths (échouage) in the commune of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron on the west coast of Île d'Oléron. The harbour is dominated by commercial fishing and is the only port on the island's west coast between Saint-Denis d'Oléron and Royan; it ranks as France's sixth-largest fishing port, with a fleet of around 95 boats and 300 fishermen.

The entrance channel is 25 metres wide, and access can be difficult and dangerous in swell and wind from the west-south-west. The harbour can accommodate pleasure boats for repair or shelter, and there are 50 berths for pleasure craft on pontoons in basin 1; occasional visitor berths are made available on request from the harbour office.

Facilities include video surveillance, marine mechanical workshops, a boat launching ramp, a 200-tonne boat lift, a divers' association, a careening area and a port waste facility. Fresh water and electricity (220V) are available on both pontoon and quay, and all kinds of shops and services can be found in the village.

Within walking distance you'll find a lively waterfront with numerous bars, restaurants and shops, plus night markets in summer. The village is known for its low fishermen's houses with white façades, climbing roses and green or blue shutters, and there's a beach nearby. Tie up here and experience authentic fishing-port life on the quay, where boats land the day's catch and evening markets bring the village to life.