Port des Minimes, La Rochelle's gateway to the sea
Easily accessible from the Old Port of La Rochelle, Port des Minimes is truly a must-see. Take a stroll among the pleasure boats or take part in one of the many aquatic activities on offer: Port des Minimes is a delightful seaside escape to savour during your stay.
Reaching Port des Minimes from the Old Port of La Rochelle
Just a 15-minute walk from the historic town centre and the Old Port of La Rochelle, there are many ways to reach Port des Minimes, the number one marina on the Atlantic coast: you’ll find connections to the city centre with bus lines, footpaths and cycle paths.
Why not take the electro-solar sea bus? Board the bus at the pontoon located in front of the Tour de la Chaine and reach Port des Minimes via a mini sea cruise, at a very affordable price. The journey takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
Take the sea bus to La Rochelle
Map of cycle paths in La Rochelle
From boat trips to aquatic activities
Throughout the year or during your holidays in La Rochelle, make the most of your stay by experiencing the sea and our range of water sports.
For yachting, Port des Minimes is the starting point for many cruises. On a sailboat or catamaran, embark on an exotic sea trip. Various sailing schools welcome young and old alike to enjoy their beginner and advanced courses. The water at La Rochelle is the perfect location to practice boating, protected from the swell by the islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron.
As for aquatic activities, you'll be spoilt for choice: kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, tubing and much more!
All boat trips departing from the ports of La Rochelle
Book an aquatic activity in La Rochelle
Nautical events at Port des Minimes: large-scale meetings
Grand Pavois La Rochelle is an unmissable nautical event in La Rochelle. This famous floating nautical show created in 1973 is an annual success, welcoming ever more visitors and exhibitors. World-renowned, it's the event of the year for all professionals in the sector. It offers the chance to discover the 700 or so boats on display, some floating, with various themed areas arranged at Port des Minimes.
Port des Minimes also regularly hosts regattas and huge nautical competitions which bring together an impressive number of boats from across the world. From Minimes beach, you can admire the boats as they line up on the start line: positioned off the coast.
A trip towards new horizons!
The Nouveau Monde sea wall
Whether you walk or cycle, the Allée des Tamaris offers a trip out in the salty sea air along the sea front and at the end of it you can discover La Rochelle’s Port de Plaisance. Cross the Passerelle Nelson Mandela which will then take you on to the Nouveau Monde sea wall: it’s a great way to walk “on the sea” and to watch the boats going in and out!
The number one marina on the Atlantic coast
Today, as one of the world's leading ports with more than 5000 berths and the number one marina on the Atlantic coast, Port des Minimes strives for excellence in both its hospitality and services: awarded 4 out of 5 anchors by Gold Anchors, it offers 450 individual "visitor" places, including 90 at the Old Port of La Rochelle, in the heart of town.