Vendée, La Rochelle
and the Atlantic islands

Île d’Yeu

Beyond the mainland

Yeu is an offshore landfall with two strikingly different coasts. Port-Joinville faces the mainland: ferries, fishing boats and visiting yachts share the harbour’s life. The island’s fishing history reaches well beyond these waters—its sailing tuna boats, the dundees, once ranged into the Atlantic for albacore.

Across the island, low dunes and beaches give way to the southern wild coast’s rocky headlands and small coves. La Meule is a cleft in that coast, with a chapel above its fishing harbour. Farther west, the Vieux Château stands on a rock surrounded by the sea. Saint-Sauveur’s village lanes lie inland between these shores.

La Meule and the Vieux Château are shore excursions from Port-Joinville. Cycling links the villages; the coastal paths are also rewarding on foot. The castle’s opening programme distinguishes guided and independent visits.

La Rochelle

A trading city at the water’s edge

La Rochelle’s old harbour still opens between the Saint-Nicolas and Chaîne towers, once joined by a chain that closed the port. These are medieval town defences, from a city whose prosperity grew through maritime trade in wine and salt. Behind the quays, arcaded streets lead to the covered market; the aquarium lies beside the former docks.

Les Minimes is the modern marina, spread around several basins south of the old town. The Bus de Mer makes the connection part of the visit: about 20 minutes from pontoon 7 to the foot of the Tour de la Chaîne, with departures varying by season.

The Tour de la Chaîne and Tour de la Lanterne offer monument visits. The Tour Saint-Nicolas is currently closed to visitors; the monument operator publishes reopening information.

Île d’Aix

A landing by launch, an island on foot

Aix is small enough to explore on foot: white houses, green shutters and hollyhocks give way to paths beside its sea defences. Arriving on a visitor mooring adds a short launch journey between boat and island, rather than a walk along a marina pontoon.

Its forts look towards the approaches to the Charente and Rochefort’s former royal dockyard. That history is part of the island’s shape, from fortified shoreline to village streets; a coastal walk keeps bringing the water back into view.

The Fouras–Aix ferry from Pointe de la Fumée also makes an island visit possible from the mainland. Its sailing times depend on the tide.

Île d’Oléron

From the lighthouse to the oyster channels

Oléron changes from the Atlantic-facing point of Chassiron to the oyster channels on its eastern side. Saint-Denis gives access to the northern villages and beaches; Boyardville faces the inner sea and Fort Boyard. Farther south, Le Château combines a citadel, a working oyster harbour and former oyster huts now occupied by artists and craftspeople.

Oyster farming explains much of the eastern shore. Channels reach the tidal beds; former salt ponds have become claires, shallow basins used to finish oysters. At Le Château, the boats and painted huts belong to a living waterfront, with production continuing alongside the studios.