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Use this form to send us all information concerning your travel to France, our team will get back to you rapidly and send you a personalized quoteLa Rochelle
La Rochelle Cruise Excursion to Green Venice & Wine Tasting
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shore excursions
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Sightseeing
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07 hours
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Small Groups ( 1~8 )
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Relaxed
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Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Select options and Book
Check availability
Highlights
- Visit the Green Venice National Park
- Small Group Boat Ride in the wetlands
- Take part in a Wine Tasting Session in a local Winery
- Local Tour Guide, Expert of the Region
- Tour can be customized to suit your interests
Program & Itinerary
Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from La Rochelle Port of Call and visit the mysterious Poitevin Marsh on board a flat bottomed boat!
Departing from La Rochelle Cruise Port, this Atlantic Coast half day private shore excursion will take you to the fascinating Natural Park of the 'Marais Poitevin' located in the Charente Maritime district.
Pick up at your Cruise Ship in La Rochelle
First, we will come and pick you up at your ship in La Rochelle Cruise Port. Meet your English speaking driver guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then, board your air conditioned vehicle and depart for the Marais Poitevin located in the Charente region.
Reach the Marais Poitevin & embark on a relaxing boat trip
The second largest wet marsh zone of France is on your program today. The Poitou Charente Marsh land, also known as the Green Venice (Venise Verte), was born by the forces of nature and is the combination of land and water associated to the hard work of man. The Dutch were the ones who drained most of the area in the 17th century, constructing rigoles that are tiny canals banked with poplars. The marsh is irrigated thanks to the Sèvre Niortaise, Vendée as well as smaller rivers.
Arrive in Coulon, a small traditional village of the Pays de la Loire, where you will board a flat bottomed boat to visit this unique area of France. Listen to the tales & legends of the area distilled by your guide who uses a "pigouille" (punt) to maneuver the embarkation.
As you slowly ride through an endless maze of green pools and streams, admire the wild irises, ruined churches, hidden marshes and golden orioles. A highlight of the tour will certainly be when your captain sets the water on fire! After the boat ride, enjoy some free time in the village of Coulon for a bit of shopping or why not visit the 'maison du marais poitevin' to get more information on the area?
Take part in a Wine Tasting Session in a local Winery
The Romans where the first to cultivate vines in this area of France. From the winery, one has a fantastic view on the Poitou Marsh that used to be covered by the sea. The family has been wine makers since the 1890's and today it is the 4th generation that tends to the vineyard.
The vines are planted on clay and limestone soils and the typical temperate oceanic climate are perfect for making a high quality wine. The wines produced here include reds that are generous, elegant and fruity.
The whites resemble the Loire Valley wines with freshness and fruit. All the wines produced at the property are blended with different grape varieties. We will stay around 1 hour for a tasting session of the different wines produced.
After the wine tasting session, it will be time to return to your Cruise ship in La Rochelle and it will be the end of our services.
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Pick up at your Cruise Ship in La Rochelle
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Reach the Venise Verte area & enjoy a boat ride
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Participate in a commented tasting session of local wines
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Return to Cruise Ship in La Rochelle
Gallery
Know before you book
- If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on Cruise Critic. Most of the time this gives good results. You must do this yourself as we are not accepted on their site as a professional business. We accept split payment transactions by credit card.
- Tour available from May to September
- Not available on Sundays and May 1st
- 7 hour private tour from La Rochelle
- Boat Tour and Wine Tasting experience can be included during booking process
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Tour involves some walking, comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Prices are per group from 2 to 7 persons - Larger groups please contact us
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
Meeting point
Departure
Please proceed to exit where your guide will be waiting for you with a sign bearing lead traveler name.
Return
Reviews
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The Hippodrome Casino
27, Jun 2022
Bonjour,
It was fantastic. Everyone was pleased.
Included / excluded
Included
- Small group option – maximum 7 people per group
- Bottled water in the vehicles
- Transportation in A/C vehicle
- Itinerary can be customized
Excluded
- Entrance fees to monuments or attractions
- Personal insurance & expenses
- Meals, drinks unless mentioned in program
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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What should I expect on a Shore Excursion with Ophorus?
As a specialized France Tour Operator and tours & activities provider, we organize worry free shore excursions departing from all cruise ports in France. Our professional team of travel advisors, drivers and guides speak fluent English, are experts in the destination and all our shore excursions take place on board premium vehicles.
All our shore excursions in France include pick up and drop off at your ship, once you have exited the Cruise Port terminal. We will always indicate where your driver/guide will be waiting for you. Our itineraries and programs are customized to suit your needs and never include side visits or stops that you had not confirmed. We guarantee your return to ship on time and have a very flexible cancellation policy. All tours can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the tour.
All our shore excursions are for small groups only, we do not cater for groups larger than 20 persons. Typically, we use premium minivans that will take up to 7 or 8 persons maximum. If your group is larger, then we will provide a small minibus but no larger than 20 passenger seats. -
What can we expect on this private Shore Excursion from La Rochelle?
This shore excursion include the visit of Marais Poitevin - Green Venice marsh area. Glide softly through the different canals and discover the local wildlife, learn about the local legends & traditional folk life. Then take part in a commented local wine tasting session. A laid back half day trip in the French countryside. -
What type of vehicles are used during your La Rochelle private tours?
Our company uses only premium cars & minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows and large leg space. -
Who conducts your private shore excursions from La Rochelle Cruise Port?
We only employ accredited and licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of museums, guided walking tours in cities, visit of historical monuments and so on.
On this particular shore excursion your guide will conduct a walking tour in Brouage village and then explain the Oyster farming tradition in this part of France.
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