Camper & Nicholsons
Camper & Nicholsons Marinas are globally recognised as the experts in developing marinas alongside premium waterside property developments and place-making. We provide consultancy services to anyone who is planning to construct a marina. We manage, operate and own marinas all over the world. Contact: Andrew Garland, Business Development Manager Andrew.garland@cnmarinas.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3405 1782
TALKING SHOP Photo: Ville de Mâcon Inland gem attracts global custom Port Mâcon, the largest inland marina in France, is a multi-award winning gem in the heart of the lush Burgundy countryside. Donatella Zucca invited harbour master Cyrille Racca to talk shop. Located in the municipality of Mâcon, which has been the capital of the Saône-et-Loire region in Burgundy since 1790, Port Mâcon sits between the cities of Beaune and Lyon. Recipients of the Prix du Port de Plaisance Exemplaire for its equipment and the Sceptre d’Or du Développement Durable for its role in developing sustainable tourism, the marina offers all modern services, is home to clubs and associations, and enjoys excellent synergy with the local authorities. Offering up to 425 berths for vessels up to 25m (82ft) in length at a modern Poralu floating pontoon system, Port Mâcon also benefits from a recently built harbour master’s office, Wi-Fi, video surveillance and a 24-hour credit card enabled fuel dock. It has adequate car parking and the marina and piers are accessed using personal badges. The entire site has been adapted for people with reduced mobility. Port Mâcon is well connected. The town centre is surrounded by pedestrian and cycle paths that connect it to all cities within a 50km (31mi) radius and the marina – in a peaceful environment within a leisure park – has good links to airports in Lyon and Geneva, train services from Mâcon station and easy access to the European motorway network. It also has enormous destination appeal, with historic attractions and great food and wine traditions – it is located on the Route des Vins between the Mâconnais and Beaujolais vineyards. The port at Mâcon, initially in use solely for commercial and industrial activities, changed tack in 1989. In 2012 a project financed by the Mâcon municipality, Feder (Europe), the Regional Council of Burgundy, the Ministère de l’Ecologie du Développement Durable des Transports et du Logement and the Fédération des Industries Nautiques was established to improve the port infrastructure. Further enhancement and expansion has followed. “The first tourist port of Mâcon was created about 30 years ago,” confirms Cyrille Racca. “An association wanted to offer sailing courses and promote the Sâone area. The first real marina, however, was created more or less 20 years ago and it had 120 berths. From 2008 to 2010 the local mayor decided to create a bigger and more beautiful Cyrille Racca marina and modified it completely so that by 2012 it had 425 berths.” Maintaining the environment The marina won the Prix du Port de Plaisance Exemplaire in 2010 for exceeding the norm at various levels including environmental approach. “Our modernisation plan led to the creation of the fuel dock, two technical areas – one of which is dedicated to larger projects – rubbish collection points, a dockside black and grey water pump-out system and improvement of the drydock area,” Racca explains. Environmental action exceeded the demands of regulations. “The port is in permanent contact with the environmental authorities and all environmental management services for birds and everything related to fish. In cooperation with fisheries federations, we make studies and take water samples for analysis to check that there is no pollution. We have set aside areas in the marina where we allow aquatic grasses to grow freely so that fish can spawn and birds can come to feed. We have storks that come to lay their eggs and generally have around 50 nests a year around the marina site.” Above left & below: Port Mâcon, the largest inland marina in France, is a sheltered oasis with a modern floating pontoon system. Photo: Ville de Mâcon (Gaël Fontany) www.marinaworld.com - July/August 2019 17
