Getting around by boat and ferry Charente-Maritime

Aix can only be discovered by boat! Head for Fouras, then let us guide you to the Pointe de la Fumée, the main landing stage for this crescent of land. Two ships make the crossing all year round. Tickets can be purchased on board, and bicycles can be brought along (please note that numbers are limited). The 20-minute cruise takes you to an area listed as a remarkable natural site.

This is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant harbors on the Ile de Ré. Boaters who dock here rub shoulders with fishing boats and, above all, enjoy a delightful environment. Protected by the ramparts and located in the heart of the village, it allows travelers to visit the restaurant or the park. Managing 220 berths year-round, 52 of which are reserved for visiting yachtsmen, the Harbour Office offers all the services you need to make a stopover in St-Martin as easy as possible.

The people of Rochelais are lucky, they can go to the city by pedaling quietly on one of the bicycle paths, but they also have the possibility to offer themselves a mini cruise! Two solar-powered boats, Volta and Ampère, welcome them. Not only are they silent, but they do not pollute because they are powered by solar energy. They are also very smart and it is possible to get on board with your bike. This is enough to make the people of Rochelais want to get on board to reach the other side of the river in only 5 minutes.

Day and night beacons. Electricity on pontoon or dockside depending on basin, weather reports posted every morning, 24-hour code access to sanitary facilities, fuel pumps... Today, Les Minimes is the largest port on the Atlantic seaboard. Passengers and locals alike flock to Les Minimes, and not just to take a boat trip. Les Minimes is also a pleasant place to be, with its beach, seaside promenade, restaurants and, above all, an ice cream parlour renowned for its inimitable sorbets! Smart boaters will have no trouble getting to the city center, thanks to the sea bus and, of course, the bicycle!

The company didn't choose its name at random; it offers you the chance to sail and discover the Charente archipelago. The boats are waiting for you at the Vieux Port, just a stone's throw from the pedestrian streets. Several cruises are available, allowing you to see some of Charente-Maritime's most delightful spots. Of course, Fort Boyard is also on the list. If it's impossible to dock there, you can admire this stone vessel from your seat.

Pedestrians and cyclists can discover the ports of the Marennes Oléron Basin on a mini-cruise aboard one of these three ferry boats. You'll be greeted with a smile by our friendly staff. Board immediately! The Vauban links Bourcefranc and Château d'Oléron in 20 minutes. From La Tremblade, the Balusot, an oyster-farming barge, crosses the Seudre, while the Vauban takes you on a 45-minute cruise to Oléron Island. Bicycles are welcome on board!

Located at the mouth of the Gironde, Royan's marina is well known to sailors for its position in the heart of the town. Sheltered from the wind and protected by the ferry landing stage, it is one of the major ports on the Atlantic seaboard. Once moored, sailors can stroll under the port's arches or head for the nearby town center. There are plenty of things to do: discover the church, stroll through the shopping streets or sit on the terrace of a restaurant.

Rochefort has a commercial port twinned with Tonnay-Charente and a marina on the right bank of the river. It is ideally located, not far from Fort Boyard and Aix, and sheltered from the prevailing winds. Committed to protecting the planet, the harbour is ideally located, just a few steps from the thermal baths, the town center and several restaurants. There are 300 pontoon berths, 40 of which are reserved for visitors, and modern facilities including a careening area and water recovery station.

The Saint-Denis marina is the largest on the island of Oleron, with 750 moorings. Once used to transport wine from Chassiron to the port of La Rochelle, it is now a tourist attraction. A departure and stopover point for cruisers bound for the Isle of Aix or La Rochelle, it's also a popular spot for those looking for an iodized stroll or a coffee break on a restaurant terrace. Passing yachtsmen will find a wide range of services on offer: two toilet/shower blocks, a laundry open 7 days a week and equipment on loan.

Marina capacity:

Bassin de chasse de la Criée: 252 berths afloat on pontoon

Bassin de chasse de la Prée: 134 berths afloat on pontoon

Chenal avant port: 60 berths, pontoon

Chenal de la fabrique: 50 berths, beached buoy.
Not only is this the largest harbor on the island, but like Saint-Martin-de-Ré, it's also ideally located. No sooner have you moored your boat than you'll be able to relax on the terrace of a café, or stroll through the flower-filled lanes to the village center.

Don't look for a bridge - none links Aix to Fouras. The only solution is a boat. You'll find one at the Pointe de la Fumée pier. Two ships run year-round to take you to one of Charente-Maritime's unspoilt natural areas. Smart tip: arrive well in advance, so you can buy your place with peace of mind. The crossing is quick, taking around 20 minutes, and you can bring your bike with you!

This boat is a good way to cross the Charente. Based in the port of Soubise, the Rohan carried out the crossing between Soubise and the bilge of Rochefort located right opposite the old road of Soubise, behind the lagunage station. This river link is particularly interesting at the moment because the ferry bridge is in work. With a capacity of 11 people, the passage times of the Rohan are established according to the tides.

While La Rochelle boasts one of Europe's largest marinas, this basin is an exception. Sailors can access the beaching harbor, the Bassin des Chalutiers, as well as the Bassin des Yachts after a short passage between the two towers. A total of 390 berths are available, including 80 for visitors. The Bassin des Chalutiers accommodates large yachts from 17 m to 50 m, while the Havre d'échouage is ideal for sailors wishing to visit the city center. The port is well equipped for easy access, with gangways fitted with anti-slip strips and reserved parking spaces for cars...