Silversea Luxury Cruises A La Pallice (La Rochelle)

Explore La Rochelle at your leisure during a full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking driver in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore La Rochelle at your leisure during a half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking driver in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore La Rochelle at your leisure during a full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking driver in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore La Rochelle at your leisure during a half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking driver in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Cognac's world-famous Hennessy Distillery and the lovely town of La Rochelle during this memorable, full-day sightseeing excursion with lunch.

Cognac Region and Charente River

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 90-minute drive to the Cognac region. Cognac, home of the world-famous brandy of the same name, is a lovely little town on the banks of the Charente River and home to a 13th-century château where French King François I was born.

Hennessy Distillery Tour and Tasting

Upon arrival, a visit is made to one of the world's most famous houses of cognac, Hennessy. Take a guided tour of the cellars, discover the secrets of the swan's neck-shaped alembic still used to distill cognac to this day, and learn about the oak cask ageing process and art of blending. Following your tour, participate in a tasting of some of the fine Hennessy liquors.

Lunch in Cognac and La Rochelle

Next, re-board your coach and proceed for lunch at a Brasserie-style restaurant in the town of Cognac. After lunch, re-board your coach and return to La Rochelle for a short visit of the city centre and old harbour, along with some free time to explore your surrounds at your leisure. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour requires advance booking 15 days prior to the start of the cruise. Cancellations received after this deadline will incur penalty charges of up to 100%, which will be billed to your shipboard account.

This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking in La Rochelle is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages.Order of visits may vary.

Embrace the scenic splendour of St. Martin during this picturesque, half-day outing to Ré Island.

La Rochelle, Bridge and Ré Island

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30 minute drive to Ré Island. En route, cross the approximately two-mile-long (about 3.2-kilometre-long) bridge that has linked it to the continent since early-1988. At a distance of approximately three miles (about 4.8 kilometres) from La Pallice Harbour, Ré Island is one of the jewels of the Atlantic coast.

Saint-Martin de Ré, Free Time and Food Market

Upon arrival, take a panoramic sightseeing drive through the island, whose atmosphere and brightness has served as an inspiration to many artists. Along the way, pass by the fishing ports of Rivedoux and La Flotte before arriving in Saint-Martin de Ré, the island's capital. Next, some free time is made available to explore the narrow streets of this typical port at your leisure, browse the lovely food market offering fresh, local produce, or simply relax with a refreshing beverage at one of the numerous café terraces. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board the coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking in Saint-Martin de Ré is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Indulge your senses with the exquisite natural beauty of the Green Venice marshlands during this picturesque, half-day excursion via canal boat.

Green Venice, Marshland and Canal Boat-Ride

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive towards the 'Green Venice' region, a patchwork of marshes offering unique scenery and a glimpse of fascinating wildlife. Whilst driving through the countryside, located along the quiet canals, a stop is made close to the nearby village of Coulon. Upon arrival, take a sightseeing ride with one of the local boatmen in their flat-bottomed punts. Along the way, discover a picturesque universe in a labyrinth of shaded canals. Concealed in a forest of trees, these wet marshes offer unique and original scenery.

The Green Venice's exceptional ecosystem and location on the Atlantic coast has earned it a place on the list of Regional Natural Parks. As your boat glides across the water's placid surface, marvel at the astonishing quiet of the marsh, except for the occasional sounds of local wildlife and residents living in small, white-washed houses. Bird species are plentiful here. You may see plovers, swans, snipes, and ashen and crimson herons. Depending on the season, you may even observe hundreds of wild geese making their migration to Spain. Your skilled captain guides your boat through the tunnels created by the arched limbs of poplars and ash, along the shores of property owned by prosperous farmers and past small, picturesque villages.

Coulon Village

Disembark your boat in Coulon, where you will enjoy a short free time,to stroll through the streets, ass by traditional houses and browse the local shops for souvenirs. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour requires advance booking 7 days prior to the start of the cruise. Cancellations received after this deadline will incur penalty charges of up to 100%, which will be billed to your shipboard account.

This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and embark/disembark the boat, and steps at the sites visited. Walking in Coulon Village is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, animal sightings are not guaranteed.

Experience the beauty, charm and elegance of La Rochelle and Ré Island during this delightful, half-day sightseeing excursion.

La Rochelle, Bridge and Ré Island

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30 minute drive to Ré Island. En route, cross the approximately two-mile-long (about 3.2-kilometre-long) bridge that has linked it to the continent since early-1988. At a distance of approximately three miles (about 4.8 kilometres) from La Pallice Harbour, Ré Island is one of the jewels of the Atlantic coast.

Rivedoux, La Flotte and Saint-Martin de Ré

Upon arrival, take a panoramic sightseeing drive through the island, whose atmosphere and brightness has served as an inspiration to many artists. Along the way, pass by the fishing ports of Rivedoux and La Flotte before arriving in Saint-Martin de Ré, the island's capital. Following a guided walking tour here, some free time is made available to explore the narrow streets of this typical port at your leisure, or simply relax with a refreshing beverage at one of the numerous café terraces.

La Rochelle, Old Town and Harbour

Next, re-board your coach and head to La Rochelle, where the Great Clock welcomes you to the Old Town. Upon arrival, begin your guided walking tour of the Old Town and its harbour. Discover architectural treasures from many different periods, including ancient arcades, 15th-century and 16th-century half-timbered houses, the splendid, 18th-century Hotel de la Bourse, Law Court with its Corinthian façade, and Renaissance-style house of Henry II. The imposing Town Hall features a Renaissance lodge in the courthouse, and a monumental staircase. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board the coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking in Ré Island and La Rochelle is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Discover the history, charm and allure of the historic Château de La Roche Courbon during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

La Rochelle and Château La Roche Courbon

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to the splendid, 15th-century Château La Roche Courbon, also known as 'Sleeping Beauty's Castle'. This family-owned castle was considerably altered in the 17th-century by the addition of the arcades, which support the balcony embellishing the façade, a double staircase leading down to the formal French gardens, and an harmonious series of railing terraces providing access to the staircase and ornamental lake.

Château and French-Style Gardens Tour

Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the Château. Highlights to be seen inside the Château include a room containing paintings on wood dating from 1662, a Louis XII room with painted beams, a kitchen typical of the local style, guard's room with its vaulted roof, and beautiful furniture. Following your guided tour of the Château, some free time is made available to explore the French-style gardens and souvenir shop at your leisure. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking and standing for approximately 0.6 miles-1.24 miles (about one kilometre-two kilometres), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, steps and stairs at the Château and in the gardens, and some standing during the Château visit. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must be at least seven years old to participate on this tour.