
Filters
-
Best rates
-
Most Recent

La Rochelle
Brouage & Oyster Tasting Half Day Private Shore Excursion From La Rochelle
-
shore excursions
-
Food & Wine
-
05 hours
-
Small Groups ( 2~7 )
-
Relaxed
-
Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Select options and Book
Check availability
Highlights
- Visit the ancient European Salt Capital
- Taste delicious Oysters in Marennes
- Tour can be customized to suit your interests
- Local Tour Guide, Expert of the Region
Program & Itinerary
Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from La Rochelle Port of Call and visit the small village of Brouages, followed by a visit to an oyster farm.
Departing from La Rochelle Cruise Port in the Charente Maritime, this Atlantic Coast half day private shore excursion will take you to the village of Brouages and to the Marennes Oléron oyster producing region.
Pick up at your Cruise ship in La Rochelle and meet your guide
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 a private guided tour in the Charente region.
Travel in a spacious, premium minivan
Your private La Rochelle Shore Excursion will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons. All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access on all tour vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles.
Located between La Rochelle, Rochefort and the island of Oleron, the small town of Brouages was founded in the 1550's by Jacques de Pons and named Jacopolis. The town used to board the Atlantic ocean but with time the water receded and Brouages is today set in the middle of a marsh.
The main activity of the small town was the salt trade making it a coveted location as salt used to be one of the most important resources. During the war of religions between Catholics & Protestants, the town was highly disputed and in 1578 king Henri II declared it a royal town and Jacopolis thus became Brouages.
At the end of the 17th century, Vauban (a famous military architect under the reign of Louis XIV) modified the fortifications making the town impregnable.
Upon arrival, follow your guide on a walking tour of the town and discover the main attractions and heritage sites of the citadel. You will be surprised to see the old port and its quay, the church, the forges, the old market square, the barrel making area as well as the gunpowder storage room.
You will also have some free time for personal discovery as the town is now home to numerous Arts & Crafts workshops. In 2017, the village was added to the list of the most beautiful villages in France.
Then off to Marennes Oléron Basin for Oyster tasting
Drive to the Marennes-Oléron district. The Oyster farms and oyster beds are mainly located around the River Seudres & Valley and on the Island of Oléron. The oysters produced here are the only ones that have the most sought after label - the red label.
The first oyster farmers and parks date back to the 19th century and today the region produces 45 000 to 60 000 tons of oysters every year making it the most prominent area of production in Europe. Reach a local oyster farm and learn about how the oysters are grown first in the sea then as they are moved around in the different breeding parks depending on currents and tides
Then, participate in an oyster & wine tasting session in the oyster port farms of La Cayenne or La Tremblade or surrounding locations. Typically, the oysters are served by 6 and are accompanied by fresh bread with butter and a glass of white wine.
For those of you who are particularly fond of oysters, you will be able to ask for more oysters and wine (not included in price) of different qualities. After the tasting it will be time to return to the Cruise Port of La Rochelle. This will be the end of our services.
-
Pick up at your Cruise Ship in La Rochelle
-
Visit the most beautiful village of Brouage
-
Visit the Oyster beds & oyster tasting in Marennes
-
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 all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
- 5 hour private tour from La Rochelle
- Oyster Tasting fees 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
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available for travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
Meeting point
Departure
Please proceed to exit where your guide will be waiting for you with a sign bearing lead traveler name.
Return
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
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
What can we expect on this private Shore Excursion from La Rochelle?
On this particular shore excursion we will take you to the small village of Brouage classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Walking tour in the village with your guide. Then it will be time to head to Marennes Oléron where you will be introduced to Oyster farming tradition in France. This will be followed by an Oyster tasting session including white wine!