6-day sailing trip to the island of Yeu on a habitable sailboat
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationCharente-Maritime / La Rochelle
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AgeFrom 15 - 75 years
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CO₂-Emissions69.35 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Immerse yourself serenely during this 6-day ocean course to the island of Yeu. Departing from the Minimes port in La Rochelle, and always attentive to each participant's desires and limitations, this course will begin with an acclimatization day on a sheltered body of water. It will then continue with stages towards Yeu, a magnificent island combining the rugged coastline of Brittany in its western part with the beautiful beaches of the Vendée in its eastern part.
To guarantee quality learning and personalized support, the crew is intentionally limited to a maximum of five trainees, although the vessel is certified for 7. During this course, and at your own pace, you will learn about safety, sailboat maneuvers, adjustments, weather, buoyage, cartography, tide calculations, current determination, etc. Following our route, we will stop each evening in a different port.
The thrill of gliding, the emotions, the harmony of the ocean… But it's also Fabienne's personality, her commitment to ensuring you benefit from her warm welcome, her teaching skills, her calm demeanor, and her patience, that will leave a lasting impression.
The highlights
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Head to the island of Yeu for a 6-day marine escape aboard a habitable sailboat
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A smooth progression guided by Fabienne, a professional skipper with 30 years of experience.
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Small group of 5 trainees max to steer and maneuver in a friendly atmosphere
Photos
Sport
Level
Sailing
The expert's opinion
We only take on a maximum of 5 trainees, which allows Fabienne to adapt to each one according to their pace and level.
Everyone will find their place on board.
In figures
Sailing
- Average duration/day: 6h
Management
French
English
Fabienne holds a Youth and Sports Instructor's Certificate and a Merchant Marine Captain's Certificate (200 GT). With 30 years of professional experience, she has completed four transatlantic crossings and logged several thousand nautical miles. She caters to each individual's level and pace, always attentive to their desires and limitations, and prides herself on providing a warm welcome, effective instruction, calm demeanor, and patience. She is authorized to make all decisions regarding safety.
Program
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La Rochelle - St Martin de Ré
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Always attentive to everyone's desires and limitations, this training takes place in a fun and friendly atmosphere. This first stage, on a sheltered body of water, aims to familiarize you with the maneuvers on this sailboat, to acclimatize you to the sea air, and to get to know the other crew members.
It must be adapted to the weather conditions and tide times. Nothing is set in stone; if your skipper thinks it's better to go to St. Denis d'Oléron, you'll spend the night there. Both ports are equally charming.
Day 1 -
Navigation to Les Sables d'Olonne
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You'll leave the sheltered waters between the islands of Ré and Oléron and tack towards Les Sables d'Olonne, as we often have a headwind. This leg will likely be a bit longer than the previous one, and we'll need to reef if the wind picks up in the afternoon. Fabienne will guide you through the maneuvers and answer all your questions, but you'll be at the helm, trimming the sails and reducing sail, with her expert advice, of course. She'll teach those who are interested the art of chart navigation, taking currents into account. If you make mistakes, don't worry, that's how we learn, and your skipper will gently correct you. Always attentive to everyone's desires and limitations, whether you're discovering this magnificent world for the first time or already have considerable experience, everyone will find their place on board.
Day 2 -
Les Sables - Yeu Island
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Under the same conditions as before, you will sail to the Île d'Yeu. This island is magnificent and well worth a visit. If the tides allow, you can rent bicycles the following morning to explore the old castle and the small port of La Meule.
Day 3 -
Île d'Yeu - Les Sables d'Olonne
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This is a stage that will sometimes end at night (depending on the tide times), which will allow you to discover how to locate lighthouses according to their type and duration of emission.
Day 4 -
Les Sables - St Denis d'Oléron
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure depending on the tides, we will pass to the other side of the island of Ré, which takes us past the Phare des Baleines and the Phare des Baleineaux.
Day 5 -
St Denis d'Oléron - La Rochelle
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This leg of the journey is back towards La Rochelle. Perhaps, if the wind permits, you'll have time for a detour to Fort Boyard and Île d'Aix. One thing is certain: you'll leave with many wonderful memories, the feeling of having made technical progress, and above all, a strong desire to set off again.
Day 6
Note
This program is dependent on the weather and tide times. Your skipper may modify it if safety requires it.
Accommodation
We have 3 double cabins and 2 berths in the saloon, one of which is reserved for the skipper. We do not put two people who do not know each other in the same cabin.
Access
We can also accommodate you the evening before, in which case the appointment is set for 6 p.m. As soon as you register, we will send you an email containing information about your equipment, and an access card will also be sent to you.
Go to the starting point
Boarding takes place at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle, Quai Marillac , pontoon 31, berth 45. "KIRIKOU" (a white sailboat with an emerald green UV-resistant strip on the genoa furler and mainsail cover, and a decorative stripe in the same color but lighter) is located on your right, towards the end of the pontoon. From the train station, it's a 30-minute walk / or 22 minutes by bus (lines D3 or D4), getting off at the stop in front of the station, then get off at the La Sole or Le Lac stop (7 minutes by bus and 15 minutes on foot) / or 16 minutes by Yélo self-service bicycle from the station to the IUT Av. Henri Becquerel station (8 minutes by bike then 8 minutes on foot).
Price details
The price includes
- The sailboat
- The skipper
- Sailing lessons
The price does not include
- Membership in the association costs €6 per person per year.
- Access to the place of stay
- The kitty: food for the group (including the skipper), port taxes, fuel - between €30/€35 per person per day - mandatory, payable on site
- Cleaning the sailboat (everyone pitches in)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- The kitchen is equipped with all the necessary equipment except for a microwave.
- Life jackets
- Safety harnesses (all this equipment is checked annually).
Equipment to bring
- Also bring 2 pairs of shoes (without black soles)
- Large soft bag (no suitcases)
- Cap
- Telescope
- Sunscreen
- Sheet (minimum 160 cm wide)
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
Clothing to bring
- Warm and windproof waterproof clothing
- Lightweight, long-sleeved/long-legged clothing for sensitive skin
- Raincoats top and bottom if you have them (if you don't have any let us know, we can lend you some)
The Fabienne team
Our local expert is a sailing school specializing in cruising sailboats, offering 2- to 6-day sailing courses. From beginner to advanced levels, they support each participant in their individual sailing goals. Fabienne, a state-certified instructor with 30 years of experience, patiently shares her teaching skills and calm demeanor to instruct in maneuvers, safety procedures, and navigation. Patrick, with 40 years of professional sailing experience, manages the phone lines from 10 am to 8 pm to guide prospective crew members.
