Amazing Day Trips to Take From La Rochelle by Boat

Cruise along the most amazing coastline gems with Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

Although connected to the mainland by an expansive modern bridge, you still feel like you’ve switched to holiday mode as soon as you set foot on the Île de Ré. The flat island is a dream for cyclists with 110km (68mi) of bike paths that lead past sandy beaches, salt marshes and pretty villages. Home to a population of fewer than 3,000 people, Saint-Martin-de-Ré is its capital — with 17th fortifications now classified as a Unesco-listed site.

South of La Rochelle, Châtelaillon Beach is a long stretch of fine golden sand framed by ornate waterfront residences. Consistent Atlantic winds make this the perfect spot for kitesurfing and other watersports. Indeed, the seaside resort plays host to an annual Kite and Wind Festival. Walk the coastal promenade to the port of Bouchôleurs to work up an appetite for fresh seafood at L’Ambiance Cabane, a traditional waterfront wooden oyster cabin.

Lit up by brightly coloured fishermen’s houses and matching wooden fishing boats, the Île d’Oléron is known as “the luminous island”. As with the Île de Ré, you’ll find charming fishing villages, sandy beaches and pine-scented pathways. The island also has a rich wine-making tradition. Make your way to the Vignerons d’Oléron in Saint-Pierre d’Oléron for a taste of the local tipple, a sweet blend of grapes and brandy called Pineau des Charentes.

The population of the tiny Île d’Aix, where Napoléon spent his last days in France before being exiled to Saint Helena, is just over 200 people – although that swells during the summer months as daytrippers make the short crossing from La Rochelle to enjoy its five beaches and waymarked walking and cycling trails. Between April and September, Les Calèches de l’île d’Aix runs horse and cart carriage tours along a 5km (3mi) route.

At the mouth of the Charente estuary, across from the Île d’Oléron, the Île Madame is the smallest island in the Charentais archipelago. There’s no marina (or permanent population) but daytrippers can drop anchor to visit the Ferme Aquacole de l’Ile Madame: an oyster farm that serves up sunny seafood platters at lunch between April and September.

A destination made famous by the hit TV game show of the 1990s, Fort Boyard was completed at Napoleon’s orders in 1857 but arrived centuries in the making. Visitors aren’t permitted inside, but don’t let that put you off the trip – the water-locked former floating prison is a sight to behold.

The furthest from the mainland of all the French Atlantic islands, the Île d’Yeu has a rugged character with windswept cliffs, rocky coves and grassy moors. Along the docks of Port-Joinville, you can stock up on freshly caught sole, bream, hake and shellfish, while to the south, the charming Port de la Meule is a protected bay that serves as an ideal starting point for the GR80 hiking trail, which runs the circumference of the island.

This grand lighthouse, built in the 16th century, stands at the entry to the Gironde Estuary, a beacon of light for vessels as they approach and depart from Bordeaux. Teams of two guardians work on seven-day rotations to maintain the structure and also welcome visitors to the Unesco-listed site, between April and October. When coming with your own boat, you need to notify them in advance of your arrival.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.