Discover the islands close to your hotel in La Rochelle
Looking for a day out with a change of scenery? The hotel*** François 1er invites you to visit one of the 3 fabulous islands of Charente-Maritime. The islands of the Charente archipelago are all different but each one is equally attractive. Beaches, typical villages, sunshine and a gentle way of life make up their identity. You can get there by taking one of the cruise boats located near the Vieux-Port, only a few minutes from your hotel in La Rochelle old town. The islands of Ré and Oléron are also accessible by car.
Oleron, the largest of the metropolitan islands
The island of Oléron is the largest island in mainland France, being 30km long and 6km wide. For all nature lovers, Oleron is the wildest of the three islands. You will find marshes, dunes, cliffs, beaches, oyster basins, a wide choice of different places in the same area.
Cycling is the most pleasant way to discover the 175 km² of the island, especially since 100 km of cycle paths have been built.
The island has two different sea fronts. An eastern coast, suitable for family bathing. A wilder coast, exposed to the wind where you will find beautiful waves, ideal for surfing.
Visit the oyster port lined with dozens of fishermen’s huts where you can taste the famous Marennes-Oléron oysters. Your hotel*** François 1er, invites you to walk along the canal de la Perrotine, a meeting point for oyster farmers and fishermen, and then to explore the wild coast. A change of scenery guaranteed!
Ré, an island blessed by the gods
From La Rochelle, take a boat to the island of Ré and discover a way of life whose charm is the envy of many, a unique architectural style, a preserved natural heritage… The island of Ré is also linked to La Rochelle by a bridge.
The island of Ré is recognizable by its white houses, its sandy beaches, its vineyards, its forests and its salt marshes. Once you have crossed the bridge, you can cycle from village to village, with dozens of cycle paths leading you through the beautiful countryside.
Your hotel in La Rochelle old town will tell you what to see and do on the Ile de Ré:
- The village of Rivedoux with its long and beautiful seaside promenade
- The Fort of La Prée (1626)
- La Flotte-en-Ré, an old fishing village with its small port, its market and its peaceful atmosphere…
- Saint Martin-de-Ré, the place to visit with its rich historical past. Life is organised around the port, the many restaurants and terraces and its shopping streets. Its fortifications, reworked by Vauban, are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- The beaches all around the island: discover numerous beaches, each one as beautiful as the next!
- The Baleines lighthouse, 57 metres high, offers a breathtaking panorama.
Aix, a world in brackets
Embark on a journey to the island of Aix, a small island 3 kilometres long and 700 metres wide, classified as a remarkable natural site.
The island of Aix is a fragile place where all landscapes are represented. This island land can only be discovered on foot or by bicycle, in order to preserve it. The customs path allows you to go completely around the island. A calm, relaxing and still protected island, this is what your charming hotel in La Rochelle proposes to you to discover during your stay.
After a 20-minute boat trip, you can walk around the island in 3 hours, take a 1-hour carriage ride or hire a bike and explore the island at your own pace.
Indeed, you can access the island of Aix by boat from Fouras or from La Rochelle during the summer season.
The hotel*** François 1er, your hotel in the centre of La Rochelle
Following your trip around the Charente islands, how about a stopover in a welcoming and authentic place? Just a few steps from the heart of the city, its restaurants and its lively streets, the hotel*** François 1er welcomes you in a warm setting. Enjoy an unexpected experience in your charming hotel in La Rochelle with parking, a place where art takes its place. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere mixing street art and contemporary art.
Book one of our 34 fully-equipped rooms in the centre of La Rochelle, where you can relax after your days of discovery. You will appreciate the care we put into our rooms.
If you decide to leave by boat to discover the islands, you will be able to park your car in our hotel in the centre of La Rochelle with parking. The hotel has a private and secure car park.
