La Rochelle

La Rochelle's marina is the largest in Europe, with over 5,000 berths spread across the iconic Port des Minimes and the old harbour. The setting is genuinely hard to beat — you're steps from a beautifully preserved medieval town, complete with the famous three towers guarding the harbour entrance. Grab a table at one of the waterfront restaurants, explore the old town's arcaded streets, or use this as your base for sailing out to the Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron nearby.