Discover La Rochelle’s wild side with Mathilda: a breath of fresh air!

Living in the French capital of sailing, I grew up with maritime culture. To get a feel for this yourself, I recommend a stroll over the Nelson Mandela footbridge which runs along Minimes marina, the biggest in Europe.

Between La Rochelle and Rochefort, this ancient costal lagoon encompasses a range of habitats (flood plains, wetlands, dunes, oyster farms) that form the perfect sanctuary for a variety of species.

A Sunday stroll along paths lined with plaice... Found between Houmeau and Nieul-sur-Mer, the Port du Plomb provides a beautiful close-up of the limestone cliffs and colourful boats.

When the sea is like a mirror, I love to walk along Minimes beach, with the Lands End Lighthouse as my guide. Built 18 years ago by Yule, a La Rochelle local, it stands out on the horizon like a promise of adventure.

Located amongst the Mail’s lanes, this oak-strewn park has a countryside feel that I find so relaxing.

I like to get a bird’s eye view (40m up) for a fun perspective of the labyrinthine streets of La Rochelle, its Vieux port and its towers that watch over the city.

An entrepreneur based in La Rochelle, Mathilda is the blogger behind Top Knot and Tea Cups, a “logbook” where she shares her passions and writes about lifestyle themes, like travel and zero waste.

Mathilda's Website (External link) (in french)