4 Tours in La Rochelle to Build a Day Around

1.2-Hour Sunset Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 652 reviews · 2 hours · from $40Our pick

Meet the Kapalouest crew beside La Rochelle’s historic towers for a two-hour sunset sail on a 16-meter maxi-catamaran. Cruise past the Richelieu Tower and Les Minimes, then cut the engine and let the sails carry you across the water. Bring a picnic, ask the French-speaking crew about local history, and watch the old harbor glow after dark.

“pretty nice Guys, Professional and we Had a really welcoming good time. real sailing time without engines, would do again and thinking since that, how to get a own catamaran, real freedom. Not too crowded.”

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2.Sailing Cruise to Fort Boyard

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 623 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

You’ll sail from La Rochelle’s old harbor aboard a 16-meter catamaran with a captain and French-speaking crew. Cross the bay, pass Richelieu Tower and Les Minimes, then circle Fort Boyard for photos before relaxing on the trampolines. Bring food and drinks, and expect a four-hour trip in changing weather.

“We had booked earlier trip at midday on previous day but this was deferred due to weather. Our trip left dock at 19.30. Conditions were choppy and seating on catamaran is meagre. Do not recall any info called out re islands we passed. Crew handled navigation with skill and good humour, keenness to say a little in English not huge though.”

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3.Planet Exotica entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 310 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $22Best value

Spend two to three hours or more at Planet Exotica Royan, a 7.6-hectare family park with tropical and desert greenhouses, live reptiles, a Japanese Garden, dinosaur models, farm animals, go-karts, trampolines, and seasonal shows. The mobile ticket costs $22.93 per person and allows entry throughout the day.

“Very impressed. The reptiles are so well cared for, all enclosures very well kept and clean. The grounds are beautiful. We went out of season so there weren't any shows or talks about the animals but there was still plenty to do. There are free go karts and trampolines, however we visited on a very hot day with two young children so we didn't use them. There are plenty of trees around so you can find shade whenever needed. The Sunset restaurant was lovely and shaded. The farm animals were very cute, and again very well looked after. There is so much to see and learn. The dinosaur part was…”

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4.Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 252 reviews · 2h 30m · from $40

Meet Marielle, Nathan, or another French-speaking crew member by La Rochelle’s two historic towers. Sail past the Richelieu Tower and Les Minimes, then stop the engine and open the sails offshore. Bring food and drinks for a relaxed apéritif at sea, with 150 minutes for coastline views and local stories.

“L’équipe était très accueillante. Ballade agréable et détendue, agrémentée de quelques anecdotes locales et historiques. Merci!”

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