The most beautiful villages around La Rochelle to discover without a car

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on September 12, 2025

You probably know La Rochelle for its Old Port, medieval towers, and seaside atmosphere that smells like vacation. But what if we told you that you could explore picturesque villages all around without even renting a car? With the“La Rochelle Océan Pass”, not only is it possible, but it's also super easy and economical: the pass includes Yélo buses, ferry boats, TER trains on the La Rochelle–Rochefort–Saintes–Niort line, and even several regional bus lines to Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron, Royan, Surgères, Courçon, and Marans. In short, you get unlimited transportation throughout the metropolitan area and beyond, with the added bonus of included or discounted tours and activities.

La Rochelle Océan Pass - © LRTE

In practice, you can buy it online or directly from the La Rochelle or Châtelaillon-Plage Tourist Office (2025 public prices: €47 for 48 hours (adults), €59 for 72 hours and €80 for 7 days; reduced rates for teens/children and 20% off if you arrive by train, long distance or bicycle!). Then, activate it on your phone, generate a TER e-ticket valid for 2 hours (TGV/Intercités are not included), and voilà, you can validate your train, bus or boat journey with a simple QR code.

To make the most of it, remember to check the Yélo bus or Nouvelle-Aquitaine TER train timetables before you leave (via the dedicated app or website). And if you want even more freedom, you can combine public transport and cycling. Now that you know everything, let's take you on a tour of the most beautiful villages around La Rochelle, accessible by train, bus, or bike.

Châtelaillon-Plage: the Belle Époque seaside resort, accessible by TER train from La Rochelle

First essential stop: Châtelaillon-Plage. A 7- to 12-minute TER train ride from La Rochelle brings you to this elegant and colorful seaside resort. Here, everything exudes a gentle way of life: Belle Époque villas (which you can admire along a dedicated trail with a booklet provided by the Châtelaillon-Plage Tourist Office), the Sainte-Madeleine church, which houses a contemporary fresco by Amaury Dubois (an audio guide is available at the Tourist Office), and above all, the large sandy beach that stretches for miles. It's the perfect spot for watching the sunset or an impromptu swim.

If you venture a little further, you will discover the charming oyster port of Les Boucholeurs, which remains unspoiled, and, not far away, the Marais d'Yves nature reserve, which can only be explored with a guide. A haven between land and sea, where nature reigns supreme.

Marais d’Yves - © LRTE

Esnandes: a village in the Marais Poitevin accessible by bus or bike from La Rochelle

Next, head to Esnandes, a picturesque little village that marks the entrance to the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park. Please note that there is no train station in Esnandes, but you can get there by bus from La Rochelle, or choose the slow travel option by following the coastal greenway by bike (sixteen kilometers of exceptional ocean views).

L’église fortifiée d’Esnades - © Mélanie Chaigneau

In Esnandes, you can soak up culture and nature alike. In terms of heritage, you can explore its fortified church—admission to which is included in the La Rochelle Ocean Pass—which overlooks Aiguillon Bay and offers breathtaking views of the marshland landscape. Just opposite, the Maison de la Baie du Marais Poitevin—also included in the pass—serves as a museum, exhibition space, and shop selling regional products. Here you can learn about mussel farming, an iconic local activity.

Maison de la baie du marais poitevin - © LRTE

In terms of biodiversity, continuing on to Pointe Saint-Clément, you can enjoy an exceptional observation site for migratory birds, often accompanied by passionate ornithologists from the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) who organize guided walks.

Dompierre-sur-Mer: a rural getaway along the Rompsay Canal from La Rochelle

A few kilometers from La Rochelle, Dompierre-sur-Mer is the perfect rural stopover for a breath of fresh air. Again, there is no train station, but the journey itself is an adventure: you can cycle or even canoe along the Rompsay Canal before arriving at the village via a path lined with century-old trees.

This canal, commissioned by Napoleon in the 19th century with its Saint-Léonard tunnel and four locks, is a haven of biodiversity: 55 species of trees, 119 flowering plants and a rare curiosity, the Estuarine Angelica, a protected species found only on the French Atlantic estuaries.

Canal Dompierre - © La Rochelle by Les Coflocs

In Dompierre, don't miss a visit to the cellars of Château de la Péraudière, where the Normandin Mercier family has been producing pineau and cognac for generations. Good news: the La Rochelle Ocean Pass offers you a 20% discount on tastings.

Normandin Cognac - © LRTE_Normandin

And if you want to bring back a tasty local souvenir, head to La Cabane des Biquettes, a small goat farm where you can find cheese with a flavor typical of the region.

Rochefort, Niort, and the Marais Poitevin... and even Ré/Oléron: easy getaways with the Pass

If you have time, the La Rochelle Océan Pass takes you by TER train to Rochefort (arsenal and maritime heritage) and Niort to enter the Marais Poitevin, but also—since July 2025—by regional bus to the Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron, Royan, Surgères, Courçon, and Marans! You can also follow the Vélodyssée cycle route between La Rochelle and Rochefort. As always, check the TER/bus timetables and seasonal frequencies.

In Niort, you'll find yourself in the heart of a city renowned for its museums, such as the Bernard-d'Agesci Museum and the Donjon, and its dynamic cultural scene. Not to mention the free urban transport that makes it easy to get around the entire metropolitan area. With the La Rochelle Océan Pass, the return trip by TER from La Rochelle is included: a simple, car-free getaway.

The Keep of Niort - © Virginie Pegoraro

From there, take the bus to the Green Venice, a haven of water, coves, and boats. The Marais Poitevin can be explored via traditional boat trips or bike rides along the paths connecting the villages of Coulon, Arçais, La Garette, and Niort. The Maison du Marais Poitevin, located in Coulon, completes the experience with a museum immersion into the history of these marshes and their inhabitants.

Coulon - © Coraline Bouchet

Rochefort, meanwhile, offers another fascinating aspect of the region. The La Rochelle Ocean Pass also makes it easy to combine train travel with sightseeing. Among the gems to discover is the famous Transporter Bridge, a unique relic from the early 20th century, classified as a historic monument and restored over the decades to become an unmissable attraction.

Rochefort Transporter Bridge - ©LRTE

As you can see, with your La Rochelle Océan Pass, you can explore unique landscapes, charming villages, and unspoiled natural areas without any restrictions. You can enjoy the journey as much as the destination, save time and money, and, above all, leave your car behind. In short, La Rochelle and its surroundings have never been so accessible: all you have to do is pack your bag, activate your pass... and get going!

This article was written in partnership with the La Rochelle Tourist Office. For more information, visit larochelle-tourisme.com!

Written by Sophie Renassia

Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site, la page Linkedin du média, ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).

Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.