The rebel port city
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La Rochelle
La Rochelle in short
La Rochelle: a city turned towards the ocean
It's impossible to separate La Rochelle from the Atlantic Ocean. The town has used its maritime roots as an asset to develop its economy, culture and tourism. For a stroll, onlookers are spoilt for choice, from the Port des Minimes and the Port-Neuf artisanal zone to the most emblematic of them all: the Old Port of La Rochelle, guarded by the town's three famous towers (the Tour de la Chaîne, Saint Nicolas and the Quatre Sergents). The Old Port offers a very pleasant setting, with numerous bars and restaurants. It has the particularity of being in the city centre. Perfect for exploring La Rochelle and its historic centre on foot. Guided tours are available to help you discover the city's secrets.
© Alexander Demyanenko / Shutterstock
To add a touch of magic and mystery to your visit, you can take part in a night-time tour, which is just as interesting and, above all, dramatised. It's a totally immersive and gripping experience!
The Grosse-Horloge: a must-see on your way into town
You can't miss the "Grosse-Horloge" monument (as the people of La Rochelle call it), as it marks the entrance to the town's historic centre. As far back as the twelfth century, it served as the gateway to the original city walls built by William X. It became obsolete with the passing of time. Although it became obsolete as the town grew, it still stands proudly. A magnificent bell was added to the tower in 1476.
A meeting place par excellence for the people of La Rochelle, the Grosse-Horloge is a real link between the Old Port promenade and the city centre. At the foot of the monument is a charming bakery where you can enjoy a snack. Next door is a restaurant specialising in sweet waffles. Don't miss the salted butter caramel waffle, which is undoubtedly the best on the menu!
© Alexander Demyanenko / Shutterstock
The charm of La Rochelle town centre
Once you've passed under the Grosse-Horloge, you're in the heart of La Rochelle, at the start of rue du Temple, one of the city's busiest shopping streets. It's great to spend an afternoon shopping under the arcades in the centre. Big-name brands and small, discreet stalls follow one another, offering a wide range of finds, from handicrafts and clothing to local products and decorative objects linked to the ocean. Around the corner, you'll often find a charming square with a brasserie where you can relax over a coffee or a cool drink.
© kateafter / Shutterstock
Visit La Rochelle for its beaches
One of La Rochelle's strong points is its proximity to the ocean. Not only does this give it a very pleasant quality of life, it also boasts several beaches. So it's the ideal mix for a city break, while enjoying the pleasures of water sports.
One of the most popular beaches is the Plage des Minimes, which is very popular with families and has been awarded the Tourisme et Handicap mark for its access for people with reduced mobility. From this fine sandy beach, you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the lighthouse at the end of the world.
© kateafter / Shutterstock
From the town centre, a smaller, more intimate beach awaits the more curious stroller. Chef de Baie beach runs alongside the Promenade de la Concurrence. It is sheltered from the wind and has been awarded the Blue Flag.
Visit La Rochelle for its aquarium
A real tourist attraction in the city, the La Rochelle aquarium is perfect for a family outing. Visitors will be amazed from the very first moment they enter the glass tunnel, where they walk among the jellyfish. It's a magical moment before plunging (so to speak) into the abyss. The visit begins!
The La Rochelle aquarium is made up of a number of different areas that showcase the different forms that the underwater world can take. In a few figures, the La Rochelle aquarium covers an area of 1,600 m² and contains 550,000 litres of seawater!
A child meets sharks at the La Rochelle aquarium.
- © Vladimir Wrangel / ShutterstockVisit La Rochelle for its monuments
The centre of La Rochelle is full of magnificent monuments. Many traces of Protestant history can be found in the city's streets. La Rochelle Town Hall is a landmark building in the maritime city, giving visitors a better understanding of the city's history.
And let's not forget to mention the grand dames of La Rochelle, of which there are three: the Tour Saint Nicolas, the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne. You can't visit the city without seeing its monuments, the emblems of La Rochelle.
© Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock
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The must-sees
How to get there?
🚗 By car:
It's very easy to get to La Rochelle. By car, from Paris, simply take the A10 south towards Bordeaux and exit at junction 33 towards La Rochelle, Rochefort and Surgère. Allow 4 and a half hours' driving time for this journey of around 470 kilometres.
🚊 By train:
La Rochelle station is very well served, by TGV as well as TER and Intercités trains. From Paris, the station serving La Rochelle is Gare Montparnasse.
✈️ By plane:
La Rochelle has an airport that connects the city to several major European cities.
La Rochelle
✈️ Flight to La Rochelle
The airport is just 5 km from La Rochelle!
From
£96
Where to stay?
As the city is a tourist destination, there is a wide choice of hotels! Tourists are particularly keen to stay in the city centre, so they can explore the city on foot.
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Practical information
🌤️ When should you visit La Rochelle?
Situated on the Atlantic coast, La Rochelle has an oceanic climate. Winters are not particularly cold, but they are very wet. In December, for example, the average humidity is 87%. Added to this is an unattractive 28% sunshine rate.
To visit La Rochelle in the best possible conditions, it's best to go during the summer months, when temperatures reach 23°C. Those wishing to avoid the crowds of the school holidays can postpone their stay until May, or September, as the pre and post seasons are also very pleasant.
🥾 Getting around La Rochelle
It's very easy to get around La Rochelle city centre on foot. All the destination's must-sees are within the same perimeter.
If you want to get away from it all and head for the beach or the outskirts of the city, you can borrow one of the many self-service bicycles available in the city. La Rochelle is very pleasant to visit by bike, thanks to its many cycle paths.
In summer, it is advisable to leave your car in the garage, as the city's population is increasing. Fortunately, there is a comprehensive public transport network to get you everywhere in the city.
🍴 Where to eat in La Rochelle?
It's easy to find a good place to eat in La Rochelle. There are plenty of restaurants in the town to satisfy every taste craving, and they're accessible to all budgets.
From a mid-afternoon snack at Chez Gaspard (where you'll find delicious waffles) to a gourmet dinner at Les Flots, there's something for every taste bud!
lightbulb_outline Editor's tip
La Rochelle Ocean Pass is a great way to visit the town and surrounding area! Not only does it give unlimited use of the public transport network, it also gives access to a number of activities, including a guided tour of the famous Fort Boyard and a catamaran trip.
There are several pass options available, and the price varies according to the length of the stay and the age of the holder.
For more information and to book your pass, visit the official website.
La Rochelle Tourist Office
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