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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

La Rochelle (FR) - Bordeaux (FR)

05 September - 10 September 2026

5 days, Oosterschelde

From € 950,-

Book this journey

Sail Training

p.p. in 4-person cabin: € 950,-
p.p. in 2-person cabin: € 1050,-

Book this journey

Oosterschelde:
La Rochelle (FR) - Bordeaux (FR)

05 September - 10 September 2026

Discover the French coastline under sail. Board the Oosterschelde in La Rochelle and sail along the coast as you slowly make your way to Bordeaux. Depending on the weather, you will sail north, stopping in another harbour town or anchoring off one of the beautiful islands. But if the expected conditions are more favourable, you may first head south and visit a town on the northern coast of Spain. In any case, the captain will choose the best route to enjoy some wonderful sailing during these days! On board, you’ll take part in the watch system, learning to navigate and steer. You will also help hoist, trim, and take down the sails during your watch. At sea, you will quickly settle into the sailor’s rhythm. Your final destination is Bordeaux, the wine capital of France. You will moor in the heart of the city and celebrate the end of your voyage with a pleasant evening on deck, of course with a good glass of wine! The following morning, on 10 September, you disembark after breakfast
Open to all Windseekers aged 18+. Younger trainees, accompanied by an adult, at request.

Ports

La Rochelle is a coastal city on the west coast of France, with three ports offering shelter from the Bay of Biscay. See the three historic towers of the old port as the 16th century protestant corsairs would have, take a day cycling to the ‘Île de Ré’ bridge-connected island to explore the quaint villages. Popular with cruisers and tourists, the seafront is a place to wine and dine, enjoying the region’s top cuisine.

Bordeaux is famous for its wine, but the city itself also has a lot to offer. The cathedral, the Place des Quinconces and the Port de La Lune will have you gazing in amazement. The city also has a diverse cultural agenda and a bustling nightlife. To the south of the city you’ll find sandy beaches with enormous dunes that offer great surfing conditions on the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Every two years Bordeaux organizes a harbor festival, with many Tall Ships visiting.

  • La Rochelle (FR)

  • Bordeaux (FR)

Key points

  • Dates: 5 September 2026 - 10 September 2026
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 09:00
  • For Windseekers of all ages, minimum age 18 years (age 15-18 at request)
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 24
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Available diets: regular (meat); at request: vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, some (mild) allergies.
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: towels for swimming (regular towels available on board)
  • "Working together with different nationalities for a week was a life changing, hilarious experience."

    Piotr (22), Poland

You sail on the Oosterschelde

Oosterschelde
Shipping type: Three-masted topsail schooner
Homeport: Rotterdam (NL)
Date built: 1917
Trainees: 24
Length: 50 m
Height of mast: 36 m
Sail: 891 m2

An adventurous classic; stepping on board this monumental beauty is like stepping into another world. The atmosphere on board the Oosterschelde is one filled with history and adventure. The classical interior and brass polished details make you feel right at …

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Windseeker logs

  • Clean Circle Navigators 2019: plastic research

    – by Maarten Erich, Science Coordinator of By The Ocean We Unite & Anna Gudarowska, Windseeker

    In 2019 Windseeker teamed up with By the Ocean we Unite (now: The Ocean Movement) for the first time. In the summer 148 Windseekers took part in the first Sustainable Sailing journeys (now: Clean Circle Navigators) on four Tall Ships. …

    Read log
  • Arrival at Mindelo, Sao Vicente

    Europa

    Mindelo, Sao Vicente

    – by Windseeker Jules

    All the things to do: maintenance on board, going for a walk down town, having a beach day, taking a taxi around the island, exploring neighbouring islands by ferry, going out to eat and drink... A jolly good time it was …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainees
  • Trainee

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This Journey is not covered by the STO Garant guarantee.