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A stone's throw from the gîte Bouteille à la Mer, a silent electric shuttle has been crossing the Aa channel for decades. The Canote de Gravelines covers 35 metres in one to two minutes, with zero tickets, zero emissions, and a dose of local character you won't find anywhere else on the Opal Coast.
At a Glance : Free Ferry Gravelines Canote
La Canote de Gravelines is a 100% free electric shuttle linking Petit-Fort-Philippe to Grand-Fort-Philippe, crossing the Aa channel in under 2 minutes. The service runs from March to November depending on the tides. From the gîte Bouteille à la Mer, the landing stage is about 5 minutes on foot away.
📷 Licence Gite Bouteille A la Mer / tous droits réservés
📷 Photo credit: Gite Bouteille A la Mer / all rights reserved
A Gravelines Institution at the Heart of the Aa Channel
For decades, La Canote has been far more than a means of transport: it is a living link between the two banks of the Aa channel and an institution of local life in Gravelines. Where a fisherman once rowed across, a 100% electric vessel now handles the crossing, operated by the Town of Gravelines.
The crossing? 35 metres, one to two minutes flat, zero emissions. Without La Canote, the car detour from Petit-Fort-Philippe to Grand-Fort-Philippe covers 7 kilometres — an eternity just to grab a coffee on the other side or visit the Iceland Fishing Museum along Boulevard de la République.
Since the first electric boat entered service in April 2016, over 95,000 passengers have used this crossing. And the momentum shows no sign of slowing: ridership leapt by 50% between 2022 and 2023, from 12,580 to 19,108 passengers. La Canote has become a genuine tourist asset for the destination — so much so that it was nominated for the Grand Prix de l'Innovation of France Station Nautique.
Why Take La Canote During Your Stay
La Canote Gravelines is not just a local curiosity: it genuinely transforms the way you explore the area. Here are four great reasons to include it in your Opal Coast holiday plans.
Immediate time saving. Forget the car to reach Grand-Fort-Philippe. A 5-minute walk from the gîte gets you aboard. Less than 2 minutes later, you're on the other side. The shortest route in the region — and quite possibly one of the most charming.
Effortless bike access. The boat can carry up to 6 bikes at a time. It's the perfect gateway to the Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4), the great coastal route that follows the English Channel. From Grand-Fort, cyclists can head to Calais or Dunkirk without ever losing sight of the sea.
Exemplary accessibility. Families, people with reduced mobility — everyone is welcome. The boat accommodates 4 pushchairs and 2 wheelchairs, thanks to landing stages specially adapted during the 2022 overhaul.
Completely free of charge. The service is fully funded by the Town of Gravelines. No ticket, no booking. Just walk up and hop on.
🗞️ 2026 update: La Canote resumed service on Saturday, 28 March 2026, and will operate until 1 November 2026. The previous article mentioned 4 April — the official date given by the Town of Gravelines and Port Vauban is indeed 28 March.
Practical Information 2026
La Canote runs from late March to early November, following a schedule tied to tidal coefficients and the school calendar. Operating windows can stretch to 6 hours of service depending on conditions. Timings vary daily — that's part of the charm of a service rooted in maritime rhythms.
📍 Address & Access
Two boarding points, one on each bank of the Aa channel:
- Petit-Fort-Philippe side (gîte side): L'Anse des Espagnols — about 5 minutes on foot from the gîte Bouteille à la Mer. Simply follow the channel and the landing stage is right in front of you.
- Grand-Fort-Philippe side: Boulevard de la République — 100 metres from the Free Iceland Fishing Museum, ideal for combining both visits in a single outing.
🕒 Opening Times
Resumes: Saturday, 28 March 2026. Closes: 1 November 2026. Times vary daily depending on tides and weather conditions. Check the official calendar on the Town of Gravelines website before heading out.
💶 Prices
Free — municipal service fully funded by the Town of Gravelines.
⏱️ Duration & Accessibility
Crossing in 1 to 2 minutes. Capacity: 10 passengers, up to 6 bikes, 4 pushchairs, 2 wheelchairs (adapted landing stages on both sides).
📷 Crédit : Gite Bouteille A la Mer / tous droits réservés
Step onto this landing stage just a stone's throw from the gîte to board the river shuttle and reach the opposite bank with ease! 📷 Credit: Gite Bouteille A la Mer / all rights reserved
The Naviwatt WePro 700 Boat: A Source of Local Pride
In 2022, the Town of Gravelines invested in a new boat designed by Nantes-based company Naviwatt, specialists in electric river mobility. The WePro 700 model represents a technological leap over the previous vessel.
Capacity rises to 10 passengers, with a 100% electric, silent hull — zero noise pollution, zero direct emissions into the Aa channel. Disabled access was built in from the design stage, with adapted landing stages on both banks.
If you'd like to extend your nautical experience in Gravelines, the Port Vauban and its leisure boating activities are also well worth a detour from the gîte, just a few minutes' walk along the citadel canals.
📷 Licence Gite Bouteille A la Mer / tous droits réservés
📷 Photo credit: Gite Bouteille A la Mer / all rights reserved
The Gîte's Verdict
From the gîte Bouteille à la Mer, La Canote is about 5 minutes on foot away. It's one of the first things we recommend to our guests as soon as they arrive — especially families and cyclists.
Crossing the Aa channel on this little electric boat is an immediate immersion into the spirit of Hauts-de-France: down-to-earth folk, generous nature, and clever solutions dreamed up by local life.
Our favourite itinerary: board La Canote in the morning with your bikes, head up the Grand-Fort bank to the Free Iceland Fishing Museum (free entry), then continue along the coastal paths towards the Gravelines beaches. Return at the end of the day via La Canote. A full day out, car-free and without spending a penny on transport.
Ready to explore the region's heritage?
Book your stay at the gîte "Bouteille à la Mer" now and enjoy the ideal base for your visits.
FAQ
When does La Canote operate?
La Canote runs from March to November depending on the tides. The crossing is tide-dependent because the electric shuttle needs sufficient water depth. It's best to check the schedule at the landing stage or with the Gravelines Tourist Office before heading out. From the gite Bouteille a la Mer, the landing stage on the Grand-Fort-Philippe side is about 5 minutes on foot, and Petit-Fort-Philippe beach about 20 minutes, crossing included.
How much does the crossing cost?
La Canote is 100% free. There is no ticket, no reservation, and no time limit. You can cross as many times as you like during your stay. It's one of the last free public ferry services in France and a genuine local tradition.
What is there to see on the other side?
On the Grand-Fort-Philippe side, you'll find the Phare de Petit-Fort-Philippe lighthouse, the Calvaire des Marins monument, and the Plage de Petit-Fort-Philippe beach. The crossing also gives you a unique view of the Aa channel painters' trail and the iconic Musee de la Peche en Islande on the Gravelines side.
