Navicarte 552 Nautical Chart – La Rochelle, Île d’Oléron

The Navicarte 552 nautical chart covers the La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron area on the French Atlantic coast. With a scale of 1:50,000, this folded paper chart is designed for coastal navigation and recreational boating. It can be used to plan a route, study the general configuration of the coastline and keep an independent paper navigation reference on board alongside electronic equipment.

The Navicarte 552 is particularly suitable for sailors looking for a nautical chart of La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron to prepare coastal navigation, a cruise or a route between different areas of the French Atlantic coast.

A nautical chart for navigation around La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron

The area covered by the Navicarte 552 is located along an important section of the French Atlantic coast. La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron are the two main geographical references identifying the charted area.

The chart therefore meets a specific navigation requirement: providing a paper document dedicated to this coastal sector. It can be used to prepare a coastal passage, a recreational boating trip or one stage of a longer cruise along the Atlantic coast.

The 1:50,000 scale provides a sufficiently broad view of the area while retaining a level of detail suitable for coastal navigation planning.

Why use a paper nautical chart of La Rochelle?

Electronic navigation provides a dynamic representation of the vessel's position, but a paper chart remains particularly useful when planning a route.

At the chart table, the navigator has a fixed and comprehensive view of the area. The route can be studied, different options compared and the planned passage explained to the crew.

The Navicarte 552 therefore allows sailors to prepare navigation around La Rochelle or Île d’Oléron without relying entirely on a screen, battery or electrical power supply.

A 1:50,000 scale suitable for coastal navigation

The Navicarte 552 is published at a scale of 1:50,000. At this scale, one centimetre on the chart represents 500 metres on the ground.

This balance between geographical coverage and cartographic detail is particularly useful for coastal sailing and cabotage. The navigator can maintain a relatively broad view of the planned route while working with the main characteristics of the coastline.

The selected scale must nevertheless always be considered in relation to the intended route. Any situation requiring greater detail should be studied using a chart appropriate to that scale.

Who is this chart suitable for?

The Navicarte 552 is intended for recreational boating and coastal navigation. It can therefore be used by both sailing yachts and motorboats.

It is suitable for sailors planning a day trip as well as those organising a multi-day cruise. It can also be used by a crew that wants a common paper reference for route planning.

For anyone looking for a nautical chart of La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron, reference 552 provides clearly defined geographical coverage at a scale suitable for coastal navigation.

Reading the chart and planning the route

A nautical chart can be used before departure to study several elements of the navigation area, including coastline configuration, charted depths, buoyage, charted hazards, ports, restricted areas and other information needed to understand the maritime environment.

Effective chart work requires an understanding of nautical chart symbols and conventions. A chart should not be regarded simply as a geographical representation: it is a navigation planning and decision-making tool.

The Navicarte 552 can therefore be used to prepare a route, identify areas requiring particular attention and organise the different stages of a coastal passage.

Complementary use with GPS and chartplotters

The paper chart complements electronic navigation systems.

GPS provides the vessel's position and a chartplotter displays that position on electronic charting. The paper chart provides a broader view and allows the navigator to assess the overall consistency of the planned route.

This redundancy is particularly useful on board. In the event of electronic equipment failure, a power supply problem or simply during pre-departure planning, the paper chart remains immediately available.

Technical specifications

• Publisher: Navicarte

• Chart reference: 552

• Scale: 1:50,000

• Type: nautical navigation chart

• Use: recreational boating

• Navigation: coastal

• Geographical area: Atlantic Ocean

• Coverage: La Rochelle, Île d’Oléron

• Support: paper

• Format: folded chart

• Unfolded format: A0, 118.9 × 84.1 cm

• Language indicated on the product page: French

A practical format for use on board

The chart is supplied folded, making it easier to store in a navigation area or chart table.

When unfolded, its A0 format provides a large surface for working on the route while maintaining a broad view of the area. This is particularly useful when planning an itinerary or when several crew members need to work with the same chart.

The paper format can also be used for temporary route annotations during passage planning, according to the navigator's preferred working method.

Planning navigation around Île d’Oléron

The Navicarte 552 directly addresses the need for a nautical chart of Île d’Oléron. Its 1:50,000 scale provides a sufficiently broad coastal area for planning a route.

It can also be combined with other charts when the planned passage extends beyond its coverage. Any complementary chart should be selected according to the intended route and the scale required.

Planning a passage from La Rochelle

For a passage departing from La Rochelle, chart 552 provides a paper navigation reference specifically covering the area represented by the chart.

It can be included in the preparation of a coastal cruise towards Île d’Oléron or used as part of a larger chart set for a longer passage.

As with any nautical chart, the navigator should check the edition available and consult the relevant nautical information before departure.

FAQ – Navicarte 552

What area does the Navicarte 552 cover?
It covers the La Rochelle and Île d’Oléron area on the French Atlantic coast.

What is the scale of the Navicarte 552?
The chart has a scale of 1:50,000.

Is the Navicarte 552 suitable for coastal navigation?
Yes. The product is classified as a chart intended for coastal navigation.

Is chart 552 suitable for recreational boating?
Yes. It is intended for recreational navigation and can be used by both sailing and motorboat sailors.

Is it a paper chart?
Yes. It is a folded paper nautical chart.

What is the size of the Navicarte 552?
Its unfolded format is A0, approximately 118.9 × 84.1 cm.

What year is indicated for this chart?
The product page indicates 2016. This is the year shown on the product page, and the available edition should be checked before navigation.

Can the Navicarte 552 be used with GPS?
Yes. It complements GPS, chartplotters and electronic charting systems.

Is chart 552 suitable for navigation around Île d’Oléron?
Yes. Île d’Oléron is explicitly included in the geographical coverage of the chart.

Why use a paper chart alongside a chartplotter?
A paper chart provides an overall view of the area independently of electrical power and complements electronic navigation when planning and monitoring a passage.