The focal point of our meeting, the Minimes marina in La Rochelle is one of the largest in Europe, with over 5,000 berths and 15 km of pontoons, welcoming a myriad of yachts from all horizons. Among them is Merinos, the 7.60m Kelt that Tom and Marjolaine offer for charter on Airbnb. On the pontoon leading to their sailboat, we met a couple eager to be tempted by the unusual: Lise, 24, and Jérémy, 25. Two days and one night, a fleeting lapse of time, but enough to get caught up in the experience of life as a yachtsman.
Why choose a sailboat rather than a "classic" accommodation option for your stay in La Rochelle?
Lise: This stopover was offered to us by a friend who had already spent a night on a boat in La Rochelle. As my husband is passionate about sailing boats, and I'm originally from Brittany, this gift was an obvious choice for our friend. It was our first night on a sailboat, and certainly not our last!
What was it like to sleep on the water and wake up in the port of La Rochelle?
Lise: We loved living and sleeping aboard a boat; waking up to the sound of gently creaking masts and the cry of seagulls was a very immersive experience. It was pleasant and a change of scenery. The boat was stable: as soon as we went to bed, we didn't feel the boat pitch. As far as life on board is concerned, what impressed us most was the "back to basics": everything has its own importance! There's no room for the superfluous in this type of habitat.
As a visitor to La Rochelle, do you consider the Airbnb at the port option to have been an opportunity to further immerse yourself in the city's maritime culture?
Lise: Yes, spending a night on a sailboat made us want to find out more about La Rochelle's maritime life, so we went to visit the Maritime Museum, not far from the harbor, with its impressive heritage fleet of nine ships and exhibitions on land. Although we didn't have the opportunity to take part in any sea activities, we plan to discover the famous Fort Boyard during our next stay. In the absence of any sea excursions, we did enjoy some pleasant moments on the outside deck of the boat: chatting, reading and playing cards. An interlude in time!
Did this experience inspire you to learn more about sailing and the nautical world?
Jérémy: We had the opportunity to talk to our hosts about the boat's model and the costly renovations they carried out on their yacht: careening, rigging repairs and interior outfitting. The results are unmistakable! What's more, offering Merinos as an Airbnb allows them not only to continue living their passion, but also to share this singular experience with travelers like us. For Lise and me, it was a real godsend to be able to take advantage of it! I've always wanted a sailboat, and this trip confirmed it. Now all I have to do is learn to sail! I'm planning to take my coastal license in the near future.
By opening the doors of their sailboat for charter, Tom and Marjolaine enable enthusiastic travelers to take part in an authentic experience and taste the beginnings of life at sea. Yesterday, as the sun set on the deck of Merinos, Lise and Jérémy were enjoying local oysters accompanied by a refreshing white wine... In this aperitif atmosphere, they confided to us that they had already discussed their aspirations for independence and ocean travel.
