Sailing to Brittany: La Rochelle – Vannes

Five nights sailing along the French Atlantic coast, from La Rochelle to the Golfe du Morbihan in Brittany. On board the historic schooner Oosterschelde you discover rocky shores, bays and islands, and learn to sail with tides and currents.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

Route: La Rochelle – French Atlantic coast – Brittany – Golfe du Morbihan (Vannes)
Departure: Tuesday 27 April 2027, 17:00, La Rochelle, France
Arrival: Sunday 2 May 2027, 09:00, Vannes, Golfe du Morbihan
Duration: 5 nights
Ship: Oosterschelde, three-masted topsail schooner
Level: 2 of 3

Prices per person

Four-berth cabin: € 975
Two-berth cabin: € 1,075

Lowest price from € 975 per person in a four-berth cabin. An ideal short introduction to sailing on a tall ship.

ALONG THE COAST TO THE HEART OF BRITTANY

This short voyage is ideal for anyone who wants a taste of life on board a historic sailing ship without being away for weeks. In five nights the Oosterschelde sails from sunny La Rochelle north to Brittany.

The closer you get to Brittany, the wilder the landscape: rocky shores, small bays and dozens of islands. The voyage ends in the Golfe du Morbihan, an inland sea full of islands and strong currents, where the ship anchors off Vannes.

THE ROUTE

La Rochelle

You board in La Rochelle, meet the crew and your fellow travellers, and over dinner the captain explains the coming days.

Along the French west coast

The ship sails north along the Atlantic coast. You help set and trim the sails, take the helm and follow along on the chart. Tides and currents play a big role here, and the crew explains how they take them into account.

Brittany

The coastline turns into rocks, bays and small islands. From the deck you see seabirds and sometimes dolphins. The nights at sea are calm and quiet here.

Golfe du Morbihan and Vannes

The voyage ends in the Golfe du Morbihan. The ship is too large for the harbour of Vannes and anchors off; after breakfast the tender takes you ashore.

EXTRA INFORMATION

LIFE ON BOARD

The Oosterschelde is a three-masted topsail schooner from 1918, originally built as a cargo ship and carefully restored to her original state. A permanent crew sails the ship, but you are not a passenger: you help hoist, trim and steer, and you stand watch alongside the crew. There are cabins for two and for four people. A ship's cook prepares the meals, and life centres on deck and in the cosy shared saloon. The pace is relaxed: between watches and sailing work there is plenty of time to enjoy the coast from the deck.

WHO IS THIS VOYAGE FOR

For first-timers on a tall ship, or for a short, active sailing holiday close to home. Level 2 of 3: a more demanding sea voyage. You need to be fit and healthy and able to cope with sometimes challenging conditions. If needed, the ship can reach a port within 24 to 48 hours.

GOOD TO KNOW

• La Rochelle and Vannes are easy to reach by train via Paris.
• Afterwards the Oosterschelde takes part in the Semaine du Golfe in the Golfe du Morbihan, and then sails back to Rotterdam.
• Travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is required; cancellation insurance is recommended.
• Travel to the port of departure and home from the port of arrival is not included.
• Ideally arrive a day before departure: the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The crew teaches you everything you need to know. You do need to be fit enough for a level 2 voyage.

How do I get to La Rochelle?

By TGV it takes about three hours from Paris to La Rochelle. There are also flights to the nearby airport.

What is the weather like in late April?

Expect 14 to 18 °C during the day and cool nights. Bring warm and waterproof clothing.

How do I book this trip?

Send us a request through the booking form on this page. Together we will check availability, your choice of cabin and the next steps.

The trip description and route are indicative. The programme depends on weather, wind and sea conditions; the captain has the final say on the route and ports.

All services that make up your trip are provided by independent suppliers. When you book, you enter into a contract directly with the supplier, the ship, under the booking conditions of that ship. As an agent, our service consists of promoting the trips offered by the supplier and acting as a facilitator in obtaining a booking agreement between the customer and the supplier. In doing so, we are always at your disposal with our experience and service.

Sailing along on a tall ship is a special experience. The Oosterschelde sailing ship has been sailing the 7 seas since 1917. Today you can sail on a sailing cruise in modern comfort. The sailingship is 50m long and offers a multi-day sailing holiday with 24 guests. With 3 masts and many sails we try to provide sustainable island hopping and ocean crossing. The huge salon and the cozy cabins will put you in a holiday mood. She prefers to sail to the Azores and sail in Cape Verde.