La Rochelle, Île de Ré & Île d'Oléron

At the end of the day, return to La Rochelle, where you’ll stay in a hotel just a short walk from the centre – ideal for enjoying the old harbour’s lively terraces and its sunset seafront promenade on foot.

The next morning, board a cruise to the iconic Fort Boyard, then head for Île d’Oléron – wild, authentic and utterly charming. Here, unspoilt nature, oyster-farming traditions and an easy-going lifestyle come together beautifully.

A timeless weekend of sea air, breathtaking scenery and unforgettable discoveries. So, are you ready to fall for the Atlantic? 🌊🌅

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – FRIDAY 25 JULY

• 11:30 p.m. – Meet at Place de la Nation (12th arrondissement, Paris)
• Departure for an overnight journey to the Atlantic coast: the ocean, the salty air and two magnificent islands await us.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY 26 JULY – Île de Ré

• 7:30 a.m. – Arrival on the island
• Relaxing morning on Gros Jonc beach, one of the island’s finest: fine sand, turquoise water and a peaceful vibe
• Free time to enjoy the sea, go cycling or wander through the typical villages with white houses and pastel shutters
• 📸 Option to explore the charming harbours of La Flotte or Ars-en-Ré
• 6:00 p.m. – Departure for La Rochelle
• Check-in at the hotel & free evening
• 🧭 Suggestions: stroll around the historic Old Port district, visit the Towers, walk along the seafront or dine in a seafood restaurant

DAY 3 – SUNDAY 27 JULY – Île d’Oléron

• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast & departure
• 10:30 a.m. – Arrival on the island
• Free day on the beach or exploring the island’s north, with the option to climb the Chassiron Lighthouse for a panoramic ocean view
• ⚓ Optional: mini-cruise to get close to the famous Fort Boyard, made popular by the TV show
• 🎣 Stroll around La Cotinière port, known for its colourful huts and cosy quayside eateries
• 4:10 p.m. – Departure for Paris
• 10:30 p.m. – Estimated arrival in the capital

PRICES & BOOKING

Adult price: €175  |  Child price: €155

✅ Included:

• 🚌 Return transport: depart from Paris aboard our Aventura Travel coaches.
• 🏩 1 night’s hotel accommodation.
• 🥐 Breakfast included at the hotel.
• 💕 Accompanying host to answer your questions and share her good vibes.

❌ Not included:

• Meals
• Leisure activities 🎡
• Tickets for museums / boat / aquarium 🎟️
• Public transport

What to do in La Rochelle?

The Towers of La Rochelle
(Tour de la Chaîne, Tour Saint-Nicolas, Tour de la Lanterne)

• Iconic medieval towers guarding the entrance to the Old Port. The Tour de la Lanterne, once a prison, still bears prisoners’ graffiti.
• 📍 Place de la Chaîne, 17000 La Rochelle
• 🎟️ €9.50 (free under 18, ages 18–25 EU, PRM)
• 🕒 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (summer), closed Mondays off-season

La Rochelle Aquarium

• One of Europe’s largest private aquariums: over 600 species (sharks, jellyfish, tropical fish).
• 📍 Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle
• 🎟️ €18.50 (adults), €14.50 (13–17 yrs), €12.50 (3–12 yrs), free under 3
• ℹ️ Audioguide available at extra cost

Maritime Museum

• Open-air museum with ships to visit (trawler, frigate) and exhibitions on port history.
• 📍 Quai Sénac de Meilhan, 17000 La Rochelle
• 🎟️ €8 (adults), free under 18
• 🎫 Discounts with the Tourist Pass

La Rochelle Bunker

• A genuine 1941 bunker turned World War II museum.
• 📍 8 Rue des Dames, 17000 La Rochelle
• 🎟️ €9.50 (adults), €7 (5–12 yrs), free under 5

Natural History Museum

• Varied collections (zoology, palaeontology, ethnography) housed in an 18^th-century building.
• 📍 28 Rue Albert I^er, 17000 La Rochelle
• 🎟️ €6 (adults), free under 18

La Rochelle Old Port

• Lively historic quarter, perfect for strolling, admiring the boats or boarding ferries to the islands (Ré, Aix, Oléron).
• 📍 Quai Duperré, city centre
• 🎟️ Free entry

What to do on Île de Ré?

Gros Jonc Beach (Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré)

• Large sandy beach renowned for its natural beauty and calm vibe. Perfect for swimming, sunbathing or morning walks.
• 📍 Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
• 🎟️ Free access
• 🕒 Lifeguards on duty in summer (July–August)

Cycling trails & bike rides

• The island boasts over 100 km of cycle paths through salt marshes, vineyards and authentic villages.
• 📍 Starting points in all island villages
• 🎟️ Free (bike hire extra: about €10–15 / day)

La Flotte Harbour

• Charming harbour ranked among “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, with flower-filled quays, terraces and local markets.
• 📍 La Flotte, 17630 Île de Ré
• 🎟️ Free access

Ars-en-Ré & its black-and-white steeple

• Typical village famed for its flower-lined lanes and its church with a black-and-white striped steeple, visible across the island’s west.
• 📍 Ars-en-Ré
• 🎟️ Free access – steeple climb: about €2–3

Salt marshes & Salt-Marsh Ecomuseum

• Discover traditional salt-harvesting techniques and the work of the salt workers.
• 📍 Loix, Route de la Prée, 17111
• 🎟️ €7 (adults), €3.50 (children), free under 6
• 🕒 Guided tours available (check season)

Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve

• Protected area home to many migratory bird species. Trails accessible on foot or by bike.
• 📍 Les Portes-en-Ré
• 🎟️ Free access
• ℹ️ Maison du Fier interpretation centre nearby – entry: €4

What to do on Île d’Oléron?

Chassiron Lighthouse

• Located at the island’s northern tip, this black-and-white lighthouse offers a panoramic view after climbing its 224 steps.
• 📍 Saint-Denis-d’Oléron
• 🎟️ €4 (adults), €2 (children), free under 6
• 🕒 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (summer)

Fort Boyard (sea view)

• Famous fortress from the TV show, accessible only by boat on guided cruises.
• 📍 Departures: Boyardville, Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, La Cotinière
• 🎟️ About €18–25, depending on the company
• 🕒 Several departures per day (approx. 1 h 30)

La Cotinière Harbour

• Charente-Maritime’s main artisanal fishing port – colourful and lively. Great for a stroll or a seafood dinner.
• 📍 La Cotinière, Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron
• 🎟️ Free access

Vert-Bois Beach

• Large wild beach bordered by forest – perfect for surfing, swimming or relaxing.
• 📍 Dolus-d’Oléron
• 🎟️ Free access
• 🕒 Summer lifeguards on duty

Salt marshes & Ecomuseum

• Watch the salt workers at work, discover local biodiversity and buy artisanal salt.
• 📍 Le Grand Village Plage – Port des Salines Ecomuseum
• 🎟️ €7 (adults), €4 (children), free under 5
• 🕒 Guided tours in season

Saint-Trojan-les-Bains State Forest

• Vast pine forest crossed by cycle paths and trails. The little tourist train departs here for the wild Maumusson beach.
• 📍 Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
• 🎟️ Free access
• 🚂 Little train: about €7–10