The essential boat trips in Charente-Maritime

Archipelago of Charente islands, Poitevin marshes, Gironde estuary, Sèvre Niortaise … The Charente Maritime is bathed in water. Trying to discover this territory, without getting on board a boat, is to deprive yourself of a good part of its maritime heritage and its natural spaces . Whether you are an experienced captain or a freshwater sailor, here are some ideas for outings between ocean, river or river .

Photo: Panorama of the Charente Maritime Source : île ou ailes Catamaran

Inter-island cruise

Oléron, Île d'Aix, Île de Ré, Île Madame, we offer you a crossing from island to island . Departing from La Rochelle , you have the choice of inter-island cruises . You will appreciate the view from the sea on the impressive towers of the city, the panorama of the port and the Charente coast, not to mention " the lighthouse at the end of the world ", a curiosity! For an original overview of the three ports and the submarine base , contact La Rochelle Croisières .

Photo: Inter-island cruise Source: Inter-island cruises

The island of Oléron

We land on the island of Oléron. To take a tour of the island , you can hire a sailing boat from Discovery voile , from Artvoile Scorlion , or from Boyard voile , and why not a catamaran from Ile or Aile Catamaran . The channels of Oléron really deserve to get lost there. On an island offers stand-up-paddleboarding ...

On site, to please the children , we jump on the P'tit train de Saint-Trojan , which takes us through the heart of the pine forests of the Côte Sauvage d'Oléron. Shall we take you? Here is our report . If you prefer a romantic getaway , nothing better than the Trains du Soleil Couchant. The island of Oléron is also its castle , its typical villages : Saint-Georges-d'Oléron , Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron ; its Marais aux Oiseaux , and its Chassiron lighthouse .

We leave on a cruise departing from Saint-Denis-d'Oléron or Boyardville to La Rochelle or to the island of Aix . For a more atypical ride, at Brassens Voile , you embark aboard a former lifeboat of the English royal , in the direction of Fort Boyard or the island of Aix.

Photo: Catamaran on the island of Oléron Source: island or catamaran wing

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Aix island

And presto, it's off again for a new stopover on the island of Aix . Its white houses with colored shutters and hollyhocks make it a warm and friendly place . Does that make you want? Follow our blogger visiting this little corner of paradise . This preserved island can be explored on foot or by bike. To find a bike, it's here: Cyclaix . If you still have a little courage, continue the road to the lighthouse . It is really original! For more information, you will find everything you need at the tourist office . On the way back, the Ile d'Aix maritime service will take you back to Fouras-les-Bains, La Rochelle or Rochefort.

Photo: Ile d'Aix

Fort Boyard

We're going to board Fort Boyard ! It cannot be visited, but many companies offer a commented tour to learn all about its history, or simply a romantic stroll at sunset . For a more invigorating trip, you can take a catamaran tour of the Fort from Fouras or from the island of Oléron, at Inter îles catamaran .

Fort Boyard photo Lesley Williamson

Re island

We disembark at Saint-Martin-en-Ré. This island, still wild, offers you magnificent beaches: in particular that of Gros jonc , du petit sergent , or Flotte en Ré , but also an atypical heritage : its Whale lighthouse , its two-tone bell tower , its fortifications and its salt marshes . Our reporter felt there like at the end of the world . To read his article, it's here . For a tour of the island, contact Croisière Blue Note , or Catamaran Dream On . You prefer a sailing boat , you will find what you are looking for on the Ile de Ré Voile .

Surfing from Ile de Ré, Lesley Williamson

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The Sèvre Niortaise

Back on dry land, in the Pays d'Aulnis , but not for long, we promise! At the port of Marans , meet at the TLM pier or at that of Marais Plaisance , to splash around on the Poitevin marshes and the Sèvre Niortaise . Our blogger tested it for you, here is her report .

Photo: Sèvre Niortaise

The Rompsay canal

Flanked by the greenway , the canal connects Marans to La Rochelle. It is in a bucolic setting that you will enjoy a gentle walk on the water . In stand-up-paddle or kayak , our blogger got into the water to reveal some secrets to you. You can discover them here .

The Chauvignac river

In Chenac-Saint-Seurin-d'Uzet, at the Port des Monards, Canoë Charente Maritime rents you canoes to quietly descend the Chauvignac river . It crosses a natural site , classified Natura 2000 . For more information, visit the tourist office website: Infiniment Charentes .

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The Charente

At the Saint-Savinien nautical base , Les Canotiers rents electric boats without a license to navigate the Charente . On the course, there are many possibilities of stopping. You cross typical villages . You pass in front of houses called " feet in the water ".

Cordouan lighthouse

In the Arvert peninsula , we return to the sea for a last trip, to the Cordouan lighthouse . It is the only lighthouse at sea open to visitors and it offers an exceptional view of the coast. Accessible only by boat, from Royan or Verdon-sur-Mer. All practical information is available on their website .

Cordouan DrWNaucala Lighthouse CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The good addresses

For other maritime connections, consult our selection of service providers: here and for other boat trips, it's here . Finally, if you feel like a captain, all you have to do is choose your ship from one of these rental agencies . Much more information is available on the tourist office website: Infiniment Charente .

Here we are, our tour on the waters of the region is over. There are many other rivers and bodies of water to explore in this department. Before your departure, you want to know more about its geography, its history, its territories: here is our page on Charente Maritime .

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Guide de la Charente Maritime.

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