/ 
The French recreational boating industry relies on an extensive network of marinas. In mainland France, 488 marinas offer more than 208,653 berths spread across the English Channel, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. Behind these figures, however, lies a reality far more complex than simply the number of available berths. The 2026 National Observatory of Recreational Marinas highlights profound changes affecting everything from business models and recreational boaters? habits to environmental challenges and the governance of marina infrastructure.
A highly varied port landscape depending on the coastline
The distribution of French marinas is far from uniform. The region covered by the UPACA alone accounts for 163 marinas, ahead of Brittany with 139 marinas. The Atlantic region has 75 marinas, Normandy and Hauts-de-France have 46, while Occitanie has 43. Corsica brings up the rear with 22 marinas. While the number of marinas appears relatively balanced between the western coast (260 marinas) and the Mediterranean coast (228 marinas), the characteristics of the infrastructure differ significantly.
Half of France?s ports have fewer than 250 berths but account for only 12% of total capacity. Conversely, very large ports account for only 9% of facilities but concentrate 35% of available berths. The national average is 428 berths per port, but some locations far exceed this figure, particularly in Occitanie, where several facilities rank among the largest in France, such as Port Camargue in Le Grau-du-Roi and Cap d?Agde.
Waiting lists remain the main sign of the shortage of spots
For many recreational boaters, securing a berth is still a long and arduous process. The observatory shows that waiting lists remain particularly long in many boating areas. The differences observed are sometimes considerable, depending on the management methods adopted by the marinas. When registration is free, the average number of registered boats reaches 631, compared to 314 when registration is subject to a fee. Some waiting lists even exceed 5,600 pending applications.
These figures illustrate several trends. First, the existence of free waiting lists encourages the accumulation of applications that are sometimes inactive. Many recreational boaters register at several marinas at the same time to increase their chances of securing a berth. Second, the most attractive areas continue to experience high demand.
However, increasing the number of berths is no longer automatically the top priority for port operators. The projects identified place greater emphasis on the redevelopment of basins, the improvement of services, the modernization of facilities, or the development of dry docks. The creation of new berths now appears to be more limited, particularly due to environmental and land-use constraints.
Although the Observatory does not provide figures on the average time required to secure a berth, the data show that demand remains high. Nearly nine out of ten ports have a waiting list, and in nearly one-fifth of the ports studied, the number of applicants even exceeds the infrastructure?s total capacity. The most strained situations are concentrated in certain particularly sought-after areas such as the Gulf of Morbihan, the Bay of Saint-Malo, Arcachon, and several ports on the French Riviera. These figures reflect persistent pressure on available berths, even as expansion projects are gradually giving way to harbor reorganization efforts and the development of dry storage facilities
Port usage is evolving along with new boating practices
Boats are no longer used exclusively for sailing. The study highlights that 42% of French ports have vessels used as residences. This proportion exceeds 80% in certain areas of Corsica and reaches more than 60% in several Mediterranean regions.
Another trend involves the rental of boats moored at docks for tourist use. About a quarter of ports now engage in this practice. The situation varies widely by region, with some ports in Normandy and the Hauts-de-France region being more involved than many ports in the Mediterranean basin.
These new uses are gradually changing users' expectations. Boaters are seeking greater comfort, digital services, modernized facilities, and equipment capable of meeting a wide range of boating needs.
A port-based economy that generates nearly 600 M? in revenue
Marinas represent an economic sector that is often underestimated. Nationwide, the annual revenue generated by marinas amounts to approximately 600 M?. The South region alone accounts for nearly 300 M?, or about half of the metropolitan area?s marina-related economic activity.
The Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments hold a special place due to their infrastructure, which accommodates a large fleet of luxury yachts. Charente-Maritime, Morbihan, Finistère, and Hérault are also among the most dynamic regions.
The cost of annual contracts also reflects this regional diversity. For a 6-meter boat, the average annual rate is around ?1,400. For vessels longer than 20 meters, the average cost can exceed ?21,000. The differences observed between ports become particularly significant for large vessels, especially in the Mediterranean, where certain highly sought-after locations drive prices up sharply.
Jobs directly related to the quality of the services provided
Ports are not just facilities for hosting vessels. They are also major employers in coastal regions. The observatory estimates that French marinas generate approximately 3,050 direct jobs.
The differences between port areas are particularly interesting. In small ports, the employment ratio remains comparable between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. However, as port size increases, Mediterranean ports generate more jobs thanks to a more developed range of services. Some major Mediterranean ports reach 2 FTEs per 100 berths, compared to about 1 FTE per 100 berths on the western coast.
This situation reflects a general shift in the role of port managers, who are now more focused on providing services to boaters than on infrastructure management alone.
The environmental transition is becoming a central issue
Environmental quality is now considered a management factor in its own right.
As of August 1, 2025, 102 French ports hold the ?Ports Propres? certification, and 59 have also earned the ?Ports Propres Actifs en Biodiversité? label. These certifications cover more than 72,000 mooring rings. The South region remains the most committed to this initiative, with more than half of its mooring rings certified. Occitanie and several regions along the Atlantic coast are also continuing to gain momentum.
Momentum remains strong, as 80% of the ports surveyed plan to obtain a new environmental certification within the next three years. At the same time, two-thirds of ports now have an environmental coordinator or a dedicated department. This trend reflects the growing integration of environmental issues into day-to-day management processes.
Dredging, energy, and climate change are driving new investments
Infrastructure management is one of the main challenges of the coming years. More than half of all ports estimate that maintenance dredging will be necessary within the next three years. This issue particularly affects several regions along the Atlantic coast and in Normandy, where siltation remains a significant problem.
In addition to routine maintenance, ports must also address energy-related issues. Fast-charging stations for electric boats are still rare, as they are available at only 7% of the ports surveyed. This situation is consistent with the low proportion of electric vessels in current fleets.
Nevertheless, port managers are anticipating future developments. Four out of five ports plan to make investments in the coming years. The projects mainly involve energy-efficient building renovations, environmental management, improvements to services for recreational boaters, and adapting infrastructure to the effects of climate change.
Governance that is gradually becoming more focused
Port management is also undergoing changes. Historically managed at the municipal level, many ports are now grouped into intermunicipal organizations or specialized public companies. Some regions have particularly high levels of concentration, with managers overseeing several ports simultaneously.
This change is intended to pool technical, administrative, and financial resources in a context where investments are becoming more substantial and regulatory requirements are increasing.
Managers Remain Generally Confident Despite the Challenges
Despite the many changes currently underway, port managers have a generally positive outlook on the future.
Nationwide, 65% of them say they are optimistic, compared with only 4% who are pessimistic. This confidence is accompanied, however, by clearly identified concerns: customer retention, rising operating costs, maintenance of aging infrastructure, and addressing environmental issues.
The National Observatory of Recreational Marinas ultimately shows that French marinas are undergoing a profound transformation. Long focused solely on managing berths, they are gradually becoming service hubs, regional economic players, and tools for environmental transition. For recreational boaters, these developments will directly shape the conditions of hospitality, the cost of berths, and the services available in the coming years.
