Port Vauban faces intense ecological and economic pressures. At the foot of the Fort Carré, near the Cap d’Antibes and the Lérins Islands, it is home to protected species and adjacent to sensitive natural areas and Natura 2000 protected areas. It is also a hub for maritime activities (yachting, sailing, water sports, shipyards, fishing, tourism, etc.).
To rise to this dual challenge, Port Vauban is committed to an environmental resource management approach, reflected in a programme of certifications. We have defined the following priorities: quality of port water, biodiversity, waste management, energy performance and consumption management.
Port Vauban relies on the involvement of all stakeholders (yachtsmen, professionals and teams) and a network of partners: Agence de l’eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse, Région Sud, Union des ports de plaisance de Provence Côte d’Azur, Ville d’Antibes, Communauté d’agglomération de Sophia Antipolis, Ecocean, Azur Trend (Ecotank), Pollustock and Ekopol.
Since 2014, Port Vauban has held ‘Ports Propres’ certification, recognising its commitment to responsible environmental management. In November 2021, it also obtained ‘Ports Propres Actifs en Biodiversité’ certification, which recognises the measures implemented to preserve marine and terrestrial ecosystems. More recently, on 22 May 2026, at the General Assembly of the Union of Marinas of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Monaco, Port Vauban was awarded the ‘Ports Propres Actifs en Biodiversité’ trophy, an honour recognising the day-to-day commitment of its teams to the environment and biodiversity.
Port Vauban places tackling polluting activities at the heart of its environmental approach with specialised facilities for waste treatment (domestic and related waste, waste linked to yachting and sailing activities) and ship wastewater management (via pumping systems).
We have gradually set up a number of selective collection services for waste recovery and disposal: materials, equipment, oils and liquids, paints, etc. Port Vauban records a waste recycling/recovery rate of nearly 80% each year. The port also organises seabed cleaning sessions each year, which help collect several tonnes of submerged waste annually. The quality of the port water is monitored annually via sampling campaigns in six sites spread across the harbour, measuring the main physicochemical parameters of the water.
Finally, thanks to our partnership with Azur Trend and the Emergen’Sea initiative, Port Vauban benefits from 24/7 on-call assistance in case of severe pollution, in addition to our own methods of intervention for accidental pollution.
Shallow coastal waters are vital for all marine life. They are home to a diverse range of fauna and flora. Yet these fragile habitats are threatened by port activity and the growing urbanisation of the coastline. Aware of its responsibility as an operator, Port Vauban has introduced a number of actions to protect and preserve biodiversity. We have introduced a series of projects:
Cystore (2015-2018), a pilot project carried out with the support of the Agence de l’Eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse, involved reintroducing strains of the Cystoseira genus of algae to the riprap on Port Vauban’s main seawall.
Another project aimed at ecological restoration was carried out at the same time with Ecocean, with the support of the Agence de l’eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse and the Région Sud. It involved setting up Biohut® nurseries in several areas of the port (harbour master’s office and floating pontoons). The aim of these artificial habitats is to help develop and innovate solutions to restore the marine environment. Today, the port has 56 Biohut® artificial nurseries, mainly in the outer harbour and in front of the harbour master’s office, in which larvae and small fish find food and shelter. Ecocean’s ecological monitoring of the sites has seen more than 60 different species of marine plants and animals in our Biohut® nurseries.
Some of our actions focus on land biodiversity, the revegetation of central reservations, preservation of local species and removal of invasive species.
Port Vauban is continuing its commitment to more sustainable mobility by developing solutions tailored to new ways of getting around. As part of this initiative, internal combustion engine vehicles used for operational purposes have gradually been replaced by a fleet of electric microcars, utility vehicles and scooters.
A new range of soft mobility options is now available within the port following the arrival of the bike-sharing operators Lime and Pony. Located at several points around the port and accessible via a mobile app, these bikes allow you to travel quickly and easily between the various port areas and the town centre. Special benefits are also available to boaters; please enquire at the port reception desk to take advantage of these.
As part of its architectural project, Port Vauban is also continuing to transform its outdoor spaces by redesigning its entire landscaped environment: promenades, greenery and facilities aimed at improving the living environment for users whilst further integrating the port into its natural surroundings.
Le succès de notre démarche environnementale
dépend de l’implication de chacun : en utilisant
les services et équipements mis à votre disposition
et en respectant les règles et les interdictions définies,
vous pouvez contribuer à améliorer grandement l’état
et la qualité de l’environnement sur notre port.
Merci pour votre contribution, à terre comme sur l’eau !
Port Vauban has 4 DPOL robots for the collection of floating waste at strategic locations in the port.
The Promenade of the Sea linking the old town to the harbour office has been designed to showcase the richness and beauty of the local biodiversity.
Step by step, boaters and passers-by are invited to meet the 10 main species that inhabit the waters of the port thanks to the creations of the artist Pascal Papalia placed along the quay. QR codes installed along the promenade tell the curious all the secrets of these species.
Composting at Port Vauban is part of a practical initiative to reduce waste and improve everyday practices.
As part of this effort, a composting site has been installed at the port in partnership with UNIVALOM. This collection point is equipped with four compost bins, designed to make sorting easier and encourage regular use by both staff and port users.
The site is located near the APPA, behind the sorting columns.
Port Vauban is involved with the TchaoMegot company, which collects and transforms the toxic and polluting matter of cigarette butts into insulation for the building industry or textiles.
This is an effective way of contributing to the preservation of the environment by acting for the depollution and 100% ecological recycling of a toxic waste.
You can already find eight ashtrays ready for use in the different areas of the port. (map opposite)
Nothing is lost, everything is transformed!
The Riviera Ports network has signed a partnership with the Superyacht Eco Association (SEA) Index, a not-for-profit initiative historically founded by the Yacht Club de Monaco and Crédit Suisse to support a more sustainable future for yachting.
The SEA Index CO2 tool has helped a growing number of superyacht owners to impartially assess the environmental impact of their vessels. The tool was developed in response to strong demand from pioneering superyacht owners, as well as in collaboration with key industry players such as captains, shipyards, operators and an independent certification company. Through increased transparency, we aim to empower yacht owners to initiate proactive measures to make informed decisions when buying, selling or chartering a yacht.
The CO2 SEA Index® certification process is open to all owners of yachts over 24m. Customers of the Port Vauban who wish to join Sea Index will benefit from a discount on the certification fee and access to the IYCA bar.
For further information: info@sea-index.com
Since 2022, the Antibes Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office and Convention Bureau, certified ISO 20121, has been actively committed to sustainable tourism, with the ambition of making the destination a driving force in all aspects of sustainable development. The charter is part of a broader CSR policy, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of tourism and promote inclusion, accessibility and well-being at work.
Port Vauban has joined the Sustainable Tourism Club, which meets regularly to discuss sustainable development issues in a spirit of mutual support and sharing. As such, we have been awarded the label ‘Local player committed to sustainable tourism’.
