France is located on the Atlantic Ocean and has access to the Mediterranean Sea, which makes it a key player in European maritime trade. In 2023, French ports handled a total of over 4.8 million TEU. Below are the five largest container ports in France, ranked from smallest to largest in terms of tonnage handled in 2023.
Major seaports in France – top 5
Here’s a map of France with its biggest seaports. All five port areas are classified as Grand Port Maritime (state).
The largest port in France – a map
5. Port of La Rochelle (FRLRH)
The Port of La Rochelle, France’s only deep-water Atlantic port not located on an estuary, plays a strategic role in agricultural exports and bulk cargo handling.
- Location: Western France, Bay of Biscay coast, near the city of La Rochelle
- Annual throughput in tonnes in 2023: 8.3 million tonnes
- Growth rate 2022/2023: +2.5%
- Key commodities: cereals and agricultural products, forest products, construction materials, liquid bulk (including petroleum derivatives)
4. Port of Nantes–Saint-Nazaire (FRNTE)
The Port of Nantes–Saint-Nazaire, as an important logistics hub for the French aerospace and shipbuilding industries, is at the forefront of decarbonization in France.
- Location: Western France, at the mouth of the Loire River
- Annual throughput in tonnes in 2023: 28.4 million tonnes
- Growth rate 2022/2023: -4%
- Key commodities: petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, chemicals, agricultural goods
3. Port of Dunkirk (FRIRK)
Dunkerque Port is the main trading port of the Hauts-de-France Region, which is not only the largest agricultural and agri-food region in France, but also the leading region for the rail industry and for the car industry.
- Location: Northern France, on the North Sea
- Annual throughput in tonnes in 2023: 44 million tonnes
- Growth rate 2022/2023: -10%
- Key commodities: coal, iron ore, fresh produce, grains
2. Port of Marseille-Fos (FRMRS)
The Port of Marseille-Fos is a key hub for petroleum and chemical imports. It is strategically positioned to serve European and North African markets.
- Location: Southern France, Mediterranean Sea
- Annual throughput in tonnes in 2023: 71.9 million tonnes
- Growth rate 2022/2023: -7%
- Key commodities: crude oil, chemicals, agricultural products, automobiles
The biggest port in France – HAROPA Port (Le Havre – Rouen – Paris)
HAROPA is not only the first French port for foreign trade, but also the first French logistics hub. It has over 650 ports of call around the world. HAROPA is an integrated port system that unites the ports of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris:
- Le Havre (FRLEH) is the first deep water port of call for imports and last for exports in this part of Europe
- Rouen (FRURO) is strategically located at the bottom of the estuary
- Paris (FRPAR) is a river port that supplies the Ile-de-France region by waterway for the development of a greener logistics chain.
- Location: Northern France, along the Seine River
- Annual throughput in tonnes in 2023: 81.3 million tonnes
- Growth rate 2022/2023: -4,5%
Check other posts about the biggest ports all over the world.
