The macrotidal bay of Marennes-Oléron is the most important French site for shellfish production (oysters and mussels); yet the primary productivity of the phytoplankton compartment in this system is not well known. In this study, photosynthetic parameters were determined using 14C incubations of bottom and surface water samples, during fall, winter and summer (2001¿2002), along a north¿south transect in the bay. Estimates of primary productivity showed that water column primary production is light-limited in the bay and that a BZpI0 type model can be applied. Spatial differences existed in the bay, with a more productive northern zone and less productive river area. With a water column primary production of 185 g C m−2 yr−1, Marennes-Oléron Bay lies in the mean range for phytoplankton primary production capacity among European and North American estuaries.