Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

Port-Saint -Louis -du -Rhône is a municipality with 8609 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in France and is located in the department of Bouches -du -Rhône in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

The city is situated on the left bank of the Rhône (Grand- Rhône), about six kilometers from the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea. Since the Rhônemündung for ships is closed, the Canal Saint -Louis was built, who headed the barges through the city of Port -Saint -Louis -du -Rhône in the east of the city lie the Gulf of Fos. In the area north and east of the Gulf are powerful port and industrial facilities, particularly in Fos -sur -Mer and Port-de -Bouc. To the west, the flat landscape is marked in the delta of the Rhône from brackish water marshes and houses an interesting fauna and flora, as we know from the neighboring Camargue.

History

The founding of Port -Saint -Louis -du -Rhône was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte. The port was 1864, which opened the Canal Saint -Louis in 1873. The city in 1904 was elevated to the community.

Economy

Ship traffic, turnover and trade led to a golden age which, however, walked slowly in the 1960s to the end. 1966, the port in the Autonomous Port of Marseille has been integrated. Early 70s decided the state to create the industrial port complex of Fos and the port activities of the central basin of Port -Saint -Louis -du -Rhône, which no longer corresponded to the new technology of the voyage, adjust, or to Fos -sur -Mer to lay. The transformation of the central dock in a marina for recreational boating, from 1989, was a key moment in the history of the city and a symbol of their revival: Located between the Rhone and the Mediterranean city could exploit the ubiquity of water on her territory: fishing, the products of the sea, water sports, especially sailing and beaches make now from the wealth of this port city.

Attractions

The tower of Saint -Louis is the oldest monument of the city: it is from the year 1737 he was employed in its history as light and watchtower. . From its terrace offers an exceptional view of the Camargue, the Rhône, and salt marshes. The tower now houses the Tourist Office and an ornithological collection.