D10

Wed 01 Jul 2026

La Rochelle + Ile de Re

📍 Loire Valley ⚡️ Medium closed 🛣 560.5 km 💶 €104 4 stops

Timeline

How to get there

🚗 driving 2h32 · 238.5 km

City Résidence — breakfast → La Rochelle — Vieux Port + old town
Open in Google Maps →
Step-by-step
1. Head northwest on Rue Édouard Vaillant toward Rue Jean-Bernard Jacquemin 1 min · 338 m
2. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rue Marcel Tribut 1 min · 193 m
3. Turn left onto Rue Dublineau 1 min · 210 m
4. Turn right onto Bd Heurteloup 1 min · 404 m
5. Keep right to stay on Bd Heurteloup 0 min · 194 m
6. Keep right to stay on Bd Heurteloup, follow signs for A10/Bordeaux/Tours-Sud/A85/Vierzon/Angers 0 min · 12 m
7. Take the ramp onto A10Toll road 19 min · 30.1 km
8. Slight left to stay on A10Toll road 1h17 · 142.5 km
9. Take exit 33 for E601 toward La Rochelle/Rochefort/Surgères/Niort-SudToll road 0 min · 468 m
10. Continue onto E601/N248Toll road 9 min · 10.9 km
11. Merge onto E601/N11 28 min · 46.4 km
12. Take the exit onto N237 toward Ile De Ré/Aéroport/Port Atlantique/Port de Pêche 2 min · 2.7 km
13. Take the D104 exit toward La Rochelle-Centre/Lagord/Nieul s/Mer/Gendarmerie 0 min · 323 m
14. Take the ramp to La Rochelle/Gendarmerie 0 min · 65 m
15. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av. du 8 Mai 1945/D104 1 min · 325 m
16. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rue du Moulin de Vendôme/D104Go through 1 roundabout 2 min · 943 m
17. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av. du Lieutenant-Colonel Bernier 2 min · 889 m
18. Continue onto Av. de Metz 1 min · 430 m
19. Turn left onto Av. du Général Leclerc 1 min · 259 m
20. Turn right onto Rue de la Noue 1 min · 194 m
21. Continue onto Rue Réaumur 1 min · 399 m
22. Continue onto Rue des Fagots 1 min · 165 m
23. Turn left onto Rue St Jean du PérotDestination will be on the left 1 min · 221 m
🚗 driving 34 min · 22.6 km

La Rochelle — Vieux Port + old town → Saint-Martin-de-Re — fortified port
Open in Google Maps →
Step-by-step
1. Head north on Cr des Dames 2 min · 250 m
2. Cr des Dames turns left and becomes Rue Léonce Vieljeux 1 min · 347 m
3. Continue onto Av. Jean GuitonGo through 1 roundabout 4 min · 1.5 km
4. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Av. Pierre Loti 1 min · 309 m
5. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av. CarnotGo through 2 roundabouts 2 min · 1.0 km
6. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Av. Raymond Poincaré heading to Aéroport La Rochelle-Ré 1 min · 570 m
7. Turn right onto Av. Modéré Lombard (signs for Ile de Ré/Aéroport La Rochelle-Ré)Go through 1 roundabout 1 min · 880 m
8. Turn left onto Rue du Jura 0 min · 227 m
9. Take the ramp to Île de Ré/La Pallice/Zone Portuaire 0 min · 128 m
10. Merge onto N237 1 min · 924 m
11. Take the D735 exit toward Ile de Ré 0 min · 235 m
12. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto D735Toll road 4 min · 3.8 km
13. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on D735 1 min · 662 m
14. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av. des Dunes/D201 heading to Ste Marie de Ré 5 min · 4.6 km
15. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rue de la Flotte/D201E1Continue to follow D201E1 3 min · 3.0 km
16. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Le Moulin d'Angibaud/D735 4 min · 3.3 km
17. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit 0 min · 69 m
18. Continue onto Cr Vauban 0 min · 211 m
19. Turn left onto Pl. de la Liberté 0 min · 58 m
20. Pl. de la Liberté turns slightly left and becomes Rue de l'Hôpital 1 min · 380 m
21. Merge onto Pl. de la République 0 min · 42 m
22. Continue straight onto Rue du Général Lapasset 0 min · 107 m
🚗 driving 27 min · 20.6 km

Lunch in Saint-Martin-de-Re → Phare des Baleines — lighthouse
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Step-by-step
1. Head south on Rue des Gabaret toward Imp. des Gabaret 1 min · 219 m
2. Rue des Gabaret turns left and becomes Cr Thoiras 1 min · 292 m
3. Turn right onto Cr Vauban 1 min · 353 m
4. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto D735 1 min · 867 m
5. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on D735 heading to St Martin de Ré/La Couarde/Ars en Ré 1 min · 420 m
6. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on D735 4 min · 3.6 km
7. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on D735 1 min · 1.1 km
8. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rte d'Ars/D735 3 min · 2.4 km
9. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Rte d'Ars/D735 10 min · 10.0 km
10. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on D735 1 min · 772 m
11. Turn right onto Rue du Chaume 1 min · 258 m
12. Continue straight onto Chem. de Poultier 3 min · 365 m
🚗 driving 7 min · 1.6 km

Phare des Baleines — lighthouse → Plage de la Conche des Baleines
Open in Google Maps →
Step-by-step
1. Head east toward Chem. de Poultier 0 min · 30 m
2. Continue onto Chem. de Poultier 2 min · 336 m
3. Continue onto Rue du Chaume 1 min · 305 m
4. Turn right onto Rue de la Madeleine 0 min · 140 m
5. Continue onto Chem. de la Salle 1 min · 391 m
6. Turn right onto La Salle 0 min · 94 m
7. Turn left 0 min · 72 m
8. Turn right 0 min · 114 m
9. Turn left 0 min · 39 m
10. Turn right 0 min · 73 m
11. Turn left 0 min · 40 m
🚗 driving 3h04 · 276.7 km

Plage de la Conche des Baleines → City Résidence, Tours
Open in Google Maps →
Step-by-step
1. Head east toward Rte du Canot de Sauvetage 0 min · 40 m
2. Turn right 0 min · 73 m
3. Turn left 0 min · 39 m
4. Turn right toward La Salle 0 min · 114 m
5. Turn left toward La Salle 0 min · 72 m
6. Turn right onto La Salle 0 min · 94 m
7. Turn left onto Chem. de la Salle 1 min · 349 m
8. Chem. de la Salle turns left and becomes Rue de la Madeleine 1 min · 182 m
9. Turn left onto Rue du Chaume 0 min · 47 m
10. Turn right onto Rte du Grand Fossé/D735Continue to follow D735 1 min · 711 m
11. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on D735 10 min · 10.0 km
12. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rte d'Ars/D735 3 min · 2.4 km
13. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto D735 1 min · 1.2 km
14. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Rte de Saint-Martin/D735Continue to follow D735 4 min · 3.6 km
15. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on D735 1 min · 412 m
16. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on D735 heading to La Flotte 1 min · 914 m
17. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Rte de la Flotte/D735 4 min · 3.2 km
18. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto D201E1 3 min · 3.1 km
19. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit 0 min · 41 m
20. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto D201 3 min · 2.6 km
21. Slight right to stay on D201 3 min · 2.0 km
22. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Av. Gustave Perreau/D735 heading to La RochelleContinue to follow D735 1 min · 641 m
23. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on D735 3 min · 3.7 km
24. Take the ramp to La Rochelle 0 min · 190 m
25. Merge onto N237 6 min · 7.8 km
26. Continue onto N137 0 min · 137 m
27. Take exit 20 to merge onto E601/N11 toward Poitiers/Nantes/Niort/La Roche s/ Yon 28 min · 47.1 km
28. Take the E601/N248 exit toward A10/Poitiers 0 min · 523 m
29. Continue onto E601/N248Toll road 8 min · 10.1 km
30. Merge onto A10/E5 via the ramp to Paris/Nantes/PoitiersToll road 1h35 · 173.2 km
31. Take exit 21 toward Tours-Centre/Montlouis s/ Loire/St Pierre des Corps/Amboise 1 min · 509 m
32. Slight left onto the ramp to Z. I. St Pierre des Corps/Gare Marchandises/Marché de Gros/Tours 0 min · 20 m
33. Turn left onto Av. Jean Bonnin 0 min · 180 m
34. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Bd Heurteloup 1 min · 423 m
35. Turn left onto Rue Mirabeau 0 min · 31 m
36. Continue straight onto Pl. Loiseau d'Entraigues 0 min · 50 m
37. Continue straight onto Rue du Rempart 1 min · 329 m
38. Turn left onto Rue Dublineau 0 min · 144 m
39. Continue onto Rue du Dr Herpin 0 min · 61 m
40. Keep right to stay on Rue du Dr Herpin 1 min · 204 m
41. Turn right onto Rue Jean-Bernard Jacquemin 0 min · 84 m
42. Turn left onto Rue Édouard VaillantDestination will be on the right 0 min · 68 m

Landmarks today

Where to eat

Breakfast City Résidence — breakfast

07:00

Order: For Claudiu, Roxana, and Melek, the best order is the breakfast buffet with a mix of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, bread, mini croissants, and any fresh items available. If the hotel charges separately, one source lists breakfast at EUR 13.90 per person, so the family should confirm whether it is included in their stay before going.[4]

The breakfast feels practical, simple, and good-value rather than luxurious, with a standard buffet-hotel vibe.[3][8]

Lunch LE TOUT DU CRU - ILE DE RE

13:50

Seafood Restaurant 4.5★ (2,184) 💶 €75

Order: For Claudiu, Roxana, and Melek, the safest best-seller order is one large seafood platter plus a separate oyster selection so you get both the signature tray and the restaurant’s most praised shellfish. If you want the most recommended experience from reviews, focus on freshness over variety and share it as a light meal.

The vibe is authentic, friendly, and no-fuss, with a warm, cozy feel, vintage decor, and nostalgic period music.

Google Maps ↗ Website ↗

Full schedule

Day 10 — Wed 1 Jul — La Rochelle + Ile de Re

status: one of draft → proposed → approved → closed. Edit the status: field in the frontmatter above; run vc:close-day N in the CLI when closing to regenerate timeline + directions.

Base: City Résidence, Tours (41 Rue Edouard Vaillant, 37000 Tours — conf 6174.415.349, PIN 6702) Theme: Big coast day — Atlantic ocean, fortified port, lighthouse + beach Energy target: High (long driving day)

Stops

Time	Activity	Detail
07:00–07:30	🍽 City Résidence — breakfast (30m)	Quick breakfast. Leave by 07:00 to maximize coast time. Pack snacks + water for the car.
07:30–10:05	→ driving	152 min · 238.5 km
10:05–11:35	📍 La Rochelle — Vieux Port + old town (90m) · €10	_Walk the Vieux Port, twin towers (Tour de la Chaine + Tour de la Lanterne — Tour Saint-Nicolas is CLOSED for restoration). Arcaded old town _
11:35–12:10	→ driving	34 min · 22.6 km
12:10–13:40	📍 Saint-Martin-de-Re — fortified port (90m)	UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications. Walk the harbour, ramparts, charming streets. Free entry. Cross the 2.9 km bridge to the island (€16 to
13:40–13:50	→ walking	6 min · 0.5 km
13:50–14:50	🍽 Lunch in Saint-Martin-de-Re (60m) · €75	Seafood lunch at the port. Picker top 3: Le Tout du Cru (★4.5, 2,184 reviews, 3 min, ~€75), Ben-Hur Char a Huitres (★4.6, 730, 2 min, ~€45),
14:50–15:20	→ driving	27 min · 20.6 km
15:20–16:20	📍 Phare des Baleines — lighthouse (60m) · €19	Climb 257 steps for panoramic Atlantic views. Adults €4.80 (climb only), Melek €3.20 (7-12). Full site ticket (lighthouse + museum + old tow
16:20–16:30	→ driving	7 min · 1.6 km
16:30–18:00	📍 Plage de la Conche des Baleines (90m)	Beach time! Wide sandy Atlantic beach near the lighthouse. Swim, relax, walk. Free. Last beach of the day — head home from here (optional La
18:00–21:10	→ driving	184 min · 276.7 km

Day total: 560.5 km transit · €104 spend

Stops YAML (source of truth — edit this, then re-run lifecycle)

- time: "07:00"
  place: "City Résidence — breakfast"
  type: meal
  category: breakfast
  style: skip
  duration_min: 30
  mode_to_next: driving
  gps: [47.3865, 0.6986]
  notes: "Quick breakfast. Leave by 07:00 to maximize coast time. Pack snacks + water for the car."
- time: "10:05"
  place: "La Rochelle — Vieux Port + old town"
  type: visit
  duration_min: 90
  mode_to_next: driving
  gps: [46.1559, -1.1543]
  cost_eur: 10
  cost_label: "Tour de la Chaine + Lanterne combined ticket x1 (€9.50 adult, Melek free EU under-26)"
  leg_cost_eur: 23
  leg_cost_label: "A10 toll Tours → La Rochelle (~€23 one way)"
  notes: "Walk the Vieux Port, twin towers (Tour de la Chaine + Tour de la Lanterne — Tour Saint-Nicolas is CLOSED for restoration). Arcaded old town streets, morning coffee. Combined tower ticket €9.50/adult, Melek free (EU under-26). Park near Vieux Port."
- time: "12:10"
  place: "Saint-Martin-de-Re — fortified port"
  type: visit
  duration_min: 90
  mode_to_next: walking
  gps: [46.2031, -1.3673]
  leg_cost_eur: 16
  leg_cost_label: "Ile de Re bridge toll (€16 high season, one-way outbound only)"
  notes: "UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications. Walk the harbour, ramparts, charming streets. Free entry. Cross the 2.9 km bridge to the island (€16 toll, return free)."
- time: "13:50"
  place: "Lunch in Saint-Martin-de-Re"
  type: meal
  category: lunch
  style: sit-down
  venue_name: "LE TOUT DU CRU - ILE DE RE"
  place_id: "ChIJw8Qm1M7mAUgR2qKsNnYpz-o"
  duration_min: 60
  mode_to_next: driving
  gps: [46.2050, -1.3650]
  cost_eur: 75
  cost_label: "Seafood lunch x3 (~€25 ea, sit-down at the port)"
  notes: "Seafood lunch at the port. Picker top 3: Le Tout du Cru (★4.5, 2,184 reviews, 3 min, ~€75), Ben-Hur Char a Huitres (★4.6, 730, 2 min, ~€45), Le Serghi (★4.4, 793, 3 min, ~€75)."
- time: "15:20"
  place: "Phare des Baleines — lighthouse"
  type: visit
  duration_min: 60
  mode_to_next: driving
  gps: [46.2452, -1.5598]
  cost_eur: 19
  cost_label: "Phare des Baleines climb x2 adults + 1 child (€4.80 ea + €3.20 Melek, climb only)"
  notes: "Climb 257 steps for panoramic Atlantic views. Adults €4.80 (climb only), Melek €3.20 (7-12). Full site ticket (lighthouse + museum + old tower): adults €12.95, Melek €7.65."
- time: "16:30"
  place: "Plage de la Conche des Baleines"
  type: visit
  duration_min: 90
  mode_to_next: driving
  gps: [46.2400, -1.5700]
  notes: "Beach time! Wide sandy Atlantic beach near the lighthouse. Swim, relax, walk. Free. Last beach of the day — head home from here (optional La Rochelle town-beach stop dropped to get home at a reasonable hour)."
- time: "21:10"
  place: "City Résidence, Tours"
  type: hotel
  duration_min: 0
  gps: [47.3865, 0.6986]
  leg_cost_eur: 23
  leg_cost_label: "A10 toll Ile de Re → Tours (~€23 return)"
  notes: "Home ~21:10 after the ~3 hr drive from Ile de Re (bridge return free, A10 toll ~€23). Late dinner from apartment kitchen. Long day but worth it for the combo."

Day Map

Day 10 route

Open in OpenStreetMap · 7 stops plotted

Weather

Seasonal normal (CMCC_CM2_VHR4, 10-year mean): 15.6–24.0°C · 1.2mm

Min	Max	Precip mm
15.6	24.0	1.2

Open-Meteo climate normals · fetched 2026-05-25 19:15 UTC · trip is T-37d, beyond 16-day forecast window

Re-run vc:refresh-weather N once trip is within 16 days for actual forecast.

Meal Picks

Lunch pick · near (46.2031,-1.3673)

★ LE TOUT DU CRU - ILE DE RE — ★ 4.5 (2,184 reviews) · 4min walk · ≈ €75 · 📍 Open in Google Maps
Pot d'Etain — ★ 4.3 (903 reviews) · 3min walk · ≈ €75
Les Colonnes - Bistrot - Bar - Crêperie - Saint-Martin - Ile de Ré — ★ 4.4 (747 reviews) · 3min walk · ≈ €75

Cost Breakdown

Time	Item	Category	Total	Per person (3)
10:05	Tour de la Chaine + Lanterne combined ticket x1 (€9.50 adult, Melek free EU under-26)	visit	€10.00	€3.33
10:05	→ A10 toll Tours → La Rochelle (~€23 one way)	transport	€23.00	€7.67
12:10	→ Ile de Re bridge toll (€16 high season, one-way outbound only)	transport	€16.00	€5.33
13:50	Seafood lunch x3 (~€25 ea, sit-down at the port)	meal	€75.00	€25.00
15:20	Phare des Baleines climb x2 adults + 1 child (€4.80 ea + €3.20 Melek, climb only)	visit	€19.00	€6.33
21:10	→ A10 toll Ile de Re → Tours (~€23 return)	transport	€23.00	€7.67

Day total: €166.00 · €55.33 per person (3 travellers)

By category:

Category	Spend	Per person
meal	€75.00	€25.00
transport	€62.00	€20.67
visit	€29.00	€9.67

Morning

07:00 — Early departure. Pack breakfast snacks for the car if needed
Drive A10 to La Rochelle (~2.5 hrs / 152 min, toll ~€23)
10:05–11:35 — La Rochelle Vieux Port (~90 min)
- Walk the old harbour, arcaded streets
- Tour de la Chaine + Tour de la Lanterne (Tour Saint-Nicolas closed for restoration)
- Morning coffee at a harbour cafe

Breakfast

Case I — quick self-catering at apartment before 07:00 departure

Midday

11:35 — Drive across the bridge to Ile de Re (~30 min, €16 bridge toll)
12:10–13:40 — Saint-Martin-de-Re (~90 min). UNESCO Vauban fortifications, harbour walk, charming streets
13:50 — Seafood lunch at Saint-Martin-de-Re port (~60 min)

Lunch

Case A — sit-down seafood in Saint-Martin-de-Re (13:50, ~60 min). Top pick: Le Tout du Cru (★4.5, 2,184 reviews, ~€75). Alternatives: Ben-Hur Char a Huitres (★4.6, oysters, ~€45), Le Serghi (★4.4, ~€75).

Afternoon

14:50 — Drive to Phare des Baleines (~25 min, northwest tip of the island)
15:20 — Phare des Baleines (~60 min). Climb 257 steps, panoramic Atlantic views
16:30–18:00 — Beach time at Plage de la Conche des Baleines (~90 min). Swim + relax. Last stop of the day — drive home from here
Dropped: the optional La Rochelle town-beach (Plage de la Concurrence) — redundant after a full Atlantic beach afternoon, and it kept the day past 21:30

Evening

18:00 — Drive back to Tours (A10 from Ile de Re, ~3 hrs / 184 min, bridge return free, toll ~€23)
~21:10 — Arrive home. Late dinner from apartment kitchen
Total driving: ~6 hours — the marathon day. Worth it for the coast

Dinner

Case I — self-catering at apartment (late arrival, simple dinner)

Notes

This is the longest driving day (~6 hours total). Leaving at 07:00 is essential
Pack breakfast/snacks for the car — save time in the morning
Ile de Re bridge toll: €16 (high season, one-way outbound only, return free)
A10 tolls: ~€23 each way = ~€46 round trip
Total fuel for the day: ~€40 (470 km)
La Rochelle parking: paid near Vieux Port. Arrive early for better spots
Ile de Re: park at Saint-Martin (paid lot) and near the lighthouse (free/small charge)

Bookings

La Rochelle tower tickets — can buy on-site
Phare des Baleines — can buy on-site
No advance booking needed for beaches or Saint-Martin

Checklist

Full tank of fuel the night before
Pack swimsuits, towels, sunscreen for the beach
Pack car snacks + water (early departure)
Beach toys/mat if desired
Cash for tolls (or card — most French toll booths accept cards)

Capture (for film + fotocarte)

Hero shot: Family at Phare des Baleines top with Atlantic panorama
Family moment: First time seeing the Atlantic — reaction at La Rochelle Vieux Port
B-roll: La Rochelle twin towers, Ile de Re bridge crossing, Saint-Martin harbour, lighthouse climb, Atlantic waves, beach time, salt marshes
Sound to capture: Atlantic waves, harbour ambience at La Rochelle, seagulls on Ile de Re