One would not want to fall in the river here. This tree branch which thrust itself through the pontoon decking overnight gives one an indication of the river’s power. Marina pylons used along the Gironde are gigantic here, a requirement for the powerful tidal rushes.

The marina:

The day was searching for the Navicartes required for navigating the canals safely. At long last, we found it on the road just behind the docks not far from the yacht club: closed!

In the month after arriving, we searched high and low for the books. Finding them was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Purchasing over the web is the way to go:

www.french-waterways.com/resources/aa-navigation-guides/guides-pilot-breil.html

There are two styles: Fluviacartes and Breil guides. We prefer the Breil: good quality paper and print is easily read.