Port Saint Louis du Rhône Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Transport & Practical Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Industrial Gateway / Excursion Launch Point

Best For

Travelers heading to Arles, the Camargue wetlands, or the Provençal countryside

Avoid If

You want to walk out of the terminal into a charming town with restaurants and shops

Walkability

Very low — the port area itself is industrial and the town is small with limited tourist appeal

Budget Fit

Moderate; transport to worthwhile sights adds cost quickly

Good For Short Calls?

Yes, if you go directly to Arles or do a Camargue nature circuit

Port Overview

Port Saint Louis du Rhône sits at the mouth of the Rhône River where it meets the Mediterranean, roughly 40 km south of Arles and about 55 km from Marseille. It is a working industrial and commercial port — think grain terminals and freight operations, not a café-lined promenade. Ships dock at a pier in a functional port area, and the town itself is small and offers very little to independent cruise visitors just wandering around.

The honest appeal here is entirely about what lies beyond the port. The Camargue Natural Regional Park — one of Europe's most distinctive wetland ecosystems — begins right outside the gates. Arles, a UNESCO-listed Roman city, is a genuine highlight of Provence and easily reached in under an hour. These two options make a port call here worthwhile if you plan in advance.

If your ship is using Port Saint Louis as an embarkation or disembarkation point, budget time to get to Marseille or Arles for a pre- or post-cruise stay. The port itself does not reward lingering. Come with a plan or you'll find yourself staring at cargo equipment wondering where the croissants are.

Is It Safe?

Port Saint Louis du Rhône is a quiet, low-crime industrial port town. There are no notable safety concerns for cruise visitors. The area is sparsely populated and feels calm rather than threatening.

The main practical risk is logistical: getting stranded without transport if you haven't arranged onward travel in advance. The town has limited taxi availability, and missing your ship's all-aboard is a real possibility if you're relying on ad-hoc arrangements. Plan transport before you step off the ship.

Accessibility & Walkability

The pier is flat and manageable for embarkation, but the surrounding port area involves uneven surfaces and industrial terrain. Getting into town requires either a walk on roads without dedicated pedestrian infrastructure or taxi transport.

For wheelchair users or those with limited mobility, the town of Port Saint Louis offers little once you arrive, and Arles — the main destination of interest — involves cobblestone streets and Roman-era terrain that is challenging for wheelchairs. Pre-booked accessible tours are the most realistic option for travelers with mobility needs.

Outside the Terminal

Step off the ship and you're immediately in a working port environment — bollards, warehouses, service vehicles, flat industrial ground. There's no tourist welcome zone, no row of souvenir stands, no café. The air smells faintly of river and salt marsh, which is actually one of the more interesting things about the place.

If you have no transport arranged, you'll want to walk toward the town center — follow signs out of the port gate and head along the main road into Port Saint Louis. It's a short walk but not a pretty one. If you've pre-booked transport, your driver should be waiting at or just outside the port exit.

Beaches Near the Port

Local Food & Drink

Port Saint Louis du Rhône town has a handful of local cafés and a small bar scene, but nothing worth making a special trip for. If you're eating ashore, plan to do so in Arles or Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer where the restaurant quality and choice are genuinely good.

Arles is strong on traditional Provençal cooking — lamb, tapenade, local olives, and fresh fish from the Mediterranean. The Saturday market is an excellent place to pick up cheese, saucisson, and olives to eat back on the ship. In Saintes-Maries, fish and seafood dominate the menus, and quality is generally reliable in the waterfront restaurants.

Avoid eating at obvious tourist traps near any major monument and instead walk one or two streets back where locals eat. Budget €15-25 per person for a solid sit-down lunch in this region.

Shopping

Don't expect anything in the port town itself. Arles is your best bet — provençal fabrics (the local Souleiado and Les Olivades patterns are regional staples), lavender products, local olive oil, and santons (traditional Provençal clay figures) are all good buys. The Saturday market in Arles is outstanding for local food products.

Saintes-Maries has souvenir shops catering to pilgrims and tourists, some carrying Camargue-themed items (gardian hats, local honey, flamingo imagery). Quality varies, so browse before committing.

Money & Currency

Currency

Euro (EUR)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Cards widely accepted in Arles and tourist areas; smaller cafés and market stalls in Port Saint Louis may prefer cash

ATMs

ATMs available in Arles town centre and in Port Saint Louis town. Limited at the port itself.

Tipping

Not obligatory in France; rounding up or leaving 5-10% at restaurants is appreciated but never expected

Notes

Carry some cash for market stalls, small cafés, and parking fees if you have a rental car.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

May, June, September, October — warm, manageable, and less crowded than peak summer

Avoid

July and August can be intensely hot (35°C+) and windy with the Mistral; the Camargue mosquito situation in summer is real and worth preparing for

Temperature

20-32°C during main Mediterranean cruise season (April-October)

Notes

The Mistral wind can blow hard and cold even in spring or autumn — it comes off the Rhône valley and hits this area directly. Pack a layer even in warm months.

Airport Information

Airport

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

Distance

~60 km east

Getting there

Taxi or private transfer is the most practical option (approximately 50-70 minutes depending on traffic). No direct public transit link from the port.

Notes

If you're flying in for a cruise embarkation here, budget ample transit time and pre-book your transfer. Marseille city itself is also worth a half-day if you arrive early.