The seaport of Port-la-Nouvelle, in the Aude, was built from the seventeenth century on the east bank of the channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the ponds of Bages and Sigean and therefore to the port of Narbonne.
A fort was erected at the port entrance in the eighteenth century, to monitor the traffic, and it was then equipped with a lantern to report to mariners. In 1780, the port was connected to the Canal du Midi and in 1844, the town of Port-la-Nouvelle was officially created by Louis-Philippe, urbanization developing on the "west" side of the channel.
Today, the commercial port is owned by the Occitan Region and its management is ensured by the Chamber of Commerce of Aude. In terms of merchandise traffic, it is the third largest French port in the Mediterranean, the second largest for the import of petroleum products and the first for the export of cereals.
On the national level, the port is the 15th of France.
Work has recently been initiated to accommodate larger vessels (up to 225 m long and 70 to 80 000 tonnes of freight) and to increase handling and storage areas. New terminals linked to railways will also be developed. The first elements of this new port will be operational in 2020.
For guided tours of the commercial port of Port-la-Nouvelle, inquire at +33 4 68 48 00 51.
A marina completes the port infrastructure of the coastal city. It is located on the bank of the channel opposite the commercial port. It has a capacity of 269 pontoon boats (less than 12 m long and with a maximum draft of 4 m). Attention, mooring on the bank and the docks of the commercial port is strictly forbidden.
The marina offers an extensive range of services (freshwater and electricity terminals, toilets, launderette). Many shops, arms and restaurants are located nearby. Similarly, access to the beaches is easy.
Information on +33 4 68 48 01 56.
