Sailing course in Charente-Maritime and the Pertuis islands - 4 days
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationLa Rochelle / Charente-Maritime
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AgeFrom 15 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions42.65 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Enjoy a unique maritime immersion during this 4-day sailing course , designed to adapt to everyone's pace and goals. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the basics of life on board and steering , or an experienced sailor seeking to refine your technical skills regarding tides , currents, and chartwork , this adventure can be tailored to your desires.
To guarantee quality training and personalized guidance, the crew is intentionally limited to a maximum of five trainees . You will sail in the heart of an exceptional sailing area, navigating between the Pertuis Rochelais , La Rochelle , Les Sables d'Olonne , and the islands of Ré, Aix, and Oléron . This ideal playground combines sheltered waters and open seas to learn how to trim sails and master maneuvers safely.
Drifting with the wind, you'll stop in charming ports like Saint-Martin or Saint-Denis , with the exclusive opportunity to sail up the Charente River to Rochefort , weather permitting. A unique, invigorating experience, blending technological advancements with complete disconnection.
The highlights
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Association created in 84, your skipper: Fabienne, professional, 30 years of experience.
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Fabienne is welcoming, calm, a good teacher, and patient. Maximum 5 trainees.
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The sailboat: First 35s5: well-maintained, safe, maneuverable, fast. Our priority: safety
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
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
During this stage, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, you'll take turns at the helm, trimming the sails, and performing maneuvers. Those who wish can try their hand at chart navigation and tide calculations. If you make a mistake, don't worry, it's all part of the learning process. Fabienne is there to explain, correct, and answer all your questions. The program isn't set in stone; everything can be modified and adapted to your requests whenever possible, but especially to the weather conditions and tide times.
A few everyday actions, a few civic actions:
- Do not throw anything overboard, not even small items like cigarette butts (one cigarette butt in the water = 500 liters of polluted water).
- For supplies, prioritize buying in bulk, using reusable containers and bags.
- Use the port authority facilities in the harbors, rather than those on the ship.
- Do not wash dishes on board, use the facilities provided by the harbour master's office.
- Respect the selective sorting.
- We're here to offer sailing trips and will avoid long motoring legs, which aren't very interesting on days with light winds. This will be an opportunity to discover fine-tuning the boat's settings.
Day 1 -
St Martin de Ré - 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 stage now takes place on an unprotected body of water, exposed to the swell. Still in a fun and friendly atmosphere, you'll sail towards Les Sables d'Olonne, taking turns at the helm, sail trimming, maneuvering, etc.
Day 2 -
Les Sables d'Olonne - St Denis D'Oléron
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This step takes place under essentially the same conditions as the previous one.
Day 3 -
St Denis D'Oléron La Rochelle
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
We're heading back to a sheltered body of water, we might make a detour to Fort Boyard, and we'll be back in La Rochelle around 4:30 PM to have time to tidy up and clean the boat. Everyone's pitching in.
Day 4
Note
Of course, this itinerary is dependent on the weather and tides. Furthermore, when the tides allow and the crew chooses, it's possible to sail up the Charente River to Rochefort. It's a magnificent leg; we sail amidst the fishing weirs, pass under the transporter bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, and moor at the Corderie Royale pontoon. Contrary to what one might think, this leg can sometimes be challenging when it involves a series of tacks.
Accommodation
The sailboat has 3 double cabins and 2 berths in the saloon (one of which is used by the skipper). We never put two people who don't know each other in the same cabin, even if it means taking one less person on board.
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
From April 28, 2025, 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 bus 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 at the train station to the IUT station on Avenue Henri Becquerel (8 minutes by bike then 8 minutes on foot).
Look for the technical area at the white end. Once there, facing the harbor, head to the left. At the far end of the technical area, you'll find a small parking lot. Pontoon 31 is above it. If the parking lot is full, there are others nearby.
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.
