Port de Plaisance Val-Escaut
A modern urban marina and the gateway to river tourism
The Port de plaisance Valescaut Click to open side panel for more information is a sleek, modern marina located just a 20-minute walk from the historic heart of the city. With a capacity of 64 berths, it hosts local boaters and international travelers sailing through Northern Europe's dense canal networks. It serves as the primary gathering point for any water-based leisure in Valenciennes, offering pristine infrastructure and an excellent waterfront promenade for a peaceful stroll.
The landscape: The harbor features a dedicated captaincy office (capitainerie) and a beautiful pedestrian pier area where visitors can watch local leisure crafts navigate the waters.
The annual harbor festival: Every year, the port hosts the Fête du Port, drawing crowds for outdoor musical performances, local food stalls, and water sport demonstrations.
La Boucle un'Escaut
A premium 30 km green-and-blue cycling loop along the riverbanks
For active travelers, the Escaut is best experienced on two wheels via La Boucle un'Escaut. This officially mapped 30-kilometer tourist cycling itinerary begins directly at the Port de plaisance Valescaut Click to open side panel for more information and follows the towpaths of the river canal seamlessly into the regional nature park.
The route: The entirely flat, paved path runs alongside the flowing water, passing historic maritime infrastructure like the Écluse des Repenties (a preserved defensive water lock named after an ancient convent).
Where it leads: The loop carries cyclists out toward the historic mining landscapes of Condé-sur-l'Escaut and the beautiful Chabaud-Latour nature base before curving back to finish right in front of the contemporary Cité des Congrès.
Waterfront Dining Near the Escaut
If you want to enjoy a meal or a drink right by the water, the destination changes slightly depending on whether you stay in the urban center or venture a short distance down the river path:
Le Haut des Rives (Anzin): Located right on the banks of the Escaut inside the Cité des Congrès district, this restaurant features a spectacular panoramic rooftop terrace looking straight down the river canal and the industrial docks.
La Guinguette du Lac (Condé-sur-l'Escaut): Located a short distance down the Escaut loop, this highly popular seasonal waterfront café and bar sits directly at the water's edge. It offers traditional light bites, regional beers, and a classic festive riverside atmosphere from April through September.