Once you arrive in Marseille in France, you realize its history, culture and architectural heritage, its vibrant nightlife and its beaches. Marseille is located in the south of France and is an important commercial and tourist port, being also a destination popularly visited by sailing lovers; in fact, the city has a marina where you can rent yachts . The old port (Le Vieux Port) is a huge port (forgive the redundancy) that is used to dock pleasure boats and fishing boats. Several people come to visit the city through this means and the port is the first thing they see, where you will also be able to find cafes and restaurants. This old port has about 2,000 years of history and is surrounded by historical buildings from the 18th century and even older. One tour you could do on board is from here to the famous Chateau d'lf and the Calanques.
Expanding a little more on what you can find in Marseille's Le Vieux Port which surrounds a lively marina, it is quite well known for its elegant hotels, waterfront cafes and seafood restaurants serving mullet and lobster from the fish market in the dock. Protecting the port is the centuries-old Fort Saint-Jean, which is located near the Saint-Laurent church which has a slightly romantic and period style and very close is the Marseille opera house of art deco style and through the streets of the city you will find many bars and nightclubs. In the marina you will be able to find pleasure yachts that are boats or boats that are used for recreational or leisure purposes. In the city, there are several places where you can rent or buy such yachts. You may be able to find options at marinas, marinas, or specialty boat stores. It is even possible to hire yacht excursion services along the coast of the city.
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On the other hand, in France, as of January 1, 2022, several changes were implemented for the maritime sector; For example, a single window for the taxation of yachts was installed in Saint-Malo to simplify and modernize administrative procedures for users; also, the prohibition of discharges of purification water from scrubbers; likewise, a new regime that is established in relation to the inspection of boats; additionally, improving the efficiency of the tax deduction for the installation on board ships of new equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution.
As for the single tax window, it was created to simplify the procedures for users (navigators, sailors, professionals in the maritime sector) where the annual registration and navigation right will also be managed. The francization and navigation tax (DAFN) is a tax to be paid by the owners of recreational or sports boats so that they can navigate and use the boats in maritime waters. This will also allow users to access the online procedure and make the payment remotely; while, the Scrubbers are scrubbers against polluting emissions from boats, minimizing the sulfur content of their fuel; but, these purification filters that are placed in the chimneys of the ships allow to reach emission rates of pollutants equivalent to the use of fuels reduced in sulfur; then, when the boats are equipped with these filters, they can use a fuel with a higher sulfur content than allowed by the regulations and the water used in the scrubbers releases into the marine environment all the pollutants that have been purified in the smoke from the chimneys ; This is why France banned all French and foreign boats equipped with scrubbers.
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Recommendations for sailing in Marseille
Do not navigate if you are drunk (drunk)
Do not approach less than 50 meters from another vessel, signaling buoy, ships or boats.
Avoid browsing alone. Let someone close know where you are going and how long you plan to stay.
Avoid navigation in the access channels to the ports, in the anchoring areas and in areas where there are a number of boats.
Keep in mind that there are areas that are exclusively for bathers, prohibited for all water sports. In these areas, sports and recreational navigation is prohibited, as well as any sailing or motorized boat.
There are access channels for windsurfers, water skis, jet skis, sailboats, motor boats, etc. They are areas that are prohibited for bathing and are intended to give access to the beach to users of water sports.
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Navigation rules in Marseille
You should know that it is forbidden to navigate in the areas designated for holding regattas.
Navigating between the bathing areas is totally prohibited. These bathing areas are from the beach to the beacon line and if there is no beacon line, you must take a distance of about 200 meters wide from the coast.
To beach the boats (take them out of the water to land or anchor them on the beach) on beaches that are not marked out, you must follow a trajectory perpendicular to the coast maintaining a speed that does not exceed 3 knots.
The boats can only be used during the day (in the hours when there is light).
The boat cannot be used as a trailer for other floating objects, except those that are used by the Security Forces and by entities dedicated to maritime rescue or in cases of emergency that are required.
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Marseille beaches to visit on board
Marseille being a coastal city, offers a variety of beautiful beaches to enjoy with a warm climate and its access to the Mediterranean coast, this city is a popular destination for those looking for an escape to the sun and sea. Some of these beaches are the following:
Plage des Catalans: it is one of the most famous and crowded beaches in Marseille. It has a large stretch of golden sand and has views of the port and Fort Saint Nicolas. This beach is centrally located, so it's easy to get to.
Plage du Prophète: it is located in the port of Marseille, it is a sandy beach and where you will find nearby restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a meal or drink after a long day at the beach.
Plage du Jai Alai: This sandy beach is located in a natural park near Marseille and is quite a popular place to picnic and enjoy the atmosphere. It is a popular destination for those who want to get away from the bustle of the city.
Plage du Corvette: It is situated in Corvette Bay and it is quite popular for people who love to do water sports, you will see people doing windsurfing, kitesurfing. There are also several nearby restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a meal or a drink after a day at the beach.
These are just some of the beaches in Marseille that you can enjoy on board a boat; in fact, there are many others that you can discover, ideal for those looking for an escape to a place with sun and sea. In fact, France is a popular sailing destination due to its coastlines on the English Channel and the Mediterranean, as well as its many internal rivers and canals.
In general, sailing in France is an exciting experience and is a great way to explore its coastlines and wonderful landscapes. In Marseille you will visit the Old Port which is the oldest in the city and the heart of the city for centuries. Currently, it is one of the most emblematic places and the natural meeting point for tourists and locals. Nearby is the fish market combined with the animation of the city center. On Olympique game nights, the bars of Marseille broadcast the game and fans come to celebrate the victories in the port and at those times it is even more crowded. Then, you will be able to rent a boat to discover the coasts of the city and have the nautical experience ; while to have the terrestrial experience and know the attractions, you can walk, take a transport or rent a segway and visit the city in a different and fun way.
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