Visit La Rochelle – these travel tips cover the best things to do in La Rochelle, what to see, where to stay, and where to eat.
La Rochelle is a cute little town on the west coast of France. I had personally never heard about it before heading there. It might not be popular for International travelers but it seems to be well known by the French.
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Let’s take a look at the best things to do in La Rochelle including travel tips and recommendations on where to stay and where to eat.
When Should You Visit La Rochelle?
Spring, summer and autumn seem to be the best time to visit La Rochelle. Of course, this is only if you’re planning on avoiding the cold!
There are fun events and festivals to attend in La Rochelle so you might want to make sure your visit fits with one of them. We’re talking about music, cultural, boat and sports events mostly.
- Francofolies de La Rochelle (music festival): July – consult the website.
- Grand Pavois La Rochelle (boat show): September – consult the website.
Fun Things to Do in La Rochelle
La Rochelle is quite a small town. If you simply want to hang out there are cool bars and restaurants to consider, but if you also want to do some fun activities there are a few fun ones to pick from!
Hop on a Bike (or a Segway)
One of the best ways to discover La Rochelle is by bike. You can either rent a bike or join a bike tour.
Joining a tour is a great way to get more information about the city while enjoying the cutest spots.
Eat Your Way Through the Market
Who would think that a small town like La Rochelle could hold up to 14 markets per week? With so many markets to pick from, the most popular one would probably be the central market which is open every morning.
Extended hours are happening on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some of the local producers have a collaboration with the pubs around, which means you can grab a plate, pick a few products and go enjoy it with a drink in one of the bars around.
Admire the Views from the Ferris Wheel
Not too far from the Old Port, there’s a big Ferris wheel. It only costs EUR 5 and it will give you a cool perspective of the town from above. The view was pretty fantastic from up there!
Discover the Street Art Spots
Not too far from Belle du Gabut you can find cool street art murals. Some of them are quite impressive, so why not stop by to admire the colorful vibes?
Walk Around the Old Port
It doesn’t take too long to stroll around the Old Port of La Rochelle. It’s super pretty at night time and still charming during the day. You can grab an ice cream or street food while enjoying the view.
Go to the Beach
La Rochelle has a few beaches. When I was there the tide was pretty low, which makes swimming kind of impossible. Although, walking on the beach is always fun!
Best Day Trips from La Rochelle & Island Hopping
Ile de Ré
La Rochelle is an excellent start point for those who’d like to explore the islands around such as Oléron or Ile de Ré. I personally visited Ile de Ré which was super easy as there’s a bridge between both places.
Ideally, you would rent a car and explore the surroundings or even spend a bit more time over there. Some of the smart stops around would be Rochefort or Cognac.
You could also hop on a boat and cruise around the islands to admire the views on the way.
How to Get Around La Rochelle
La Rochelle is quite small, which means you can basically walk everywhere (unless you prefer to ride a bicycle as previously suggested).
There’s also public transportation (buses) that can bring you from a point to another. The fare is around EUR 1.30 but you can also get a day pass for EUR 4.50.
Where to Eat in La Rochelle
There are a lot of good options when it comes to food in La Rochelle. The reason is quite simple – French cuisine is rarely disappointing!
Here are a few ideas (I tried some of them and the others were recommended by a local guide):
- Le Prao: Cool and modern restaurant
- Boat France 1 Bar de la Mer: Eat tapas and local products on a boat
- Le P’tit Bleu: Street Food (seafood) next to the Old Port
- Le P’tit Amiral: Fish and seafood that are super affordable
- Les Flots: Gastronomic Experience
- Christopher Coutanceau: Michelin Restaurant
- Torréfaction: Best coffee in town
Kindly note that some of these websites are only in French.
Where to Go Out in La Rochelle
- Belle du Gabut: Boho bar and live concerts (VERY COOL)
- Cave de La Guignette: Ideal spot to grab a local drink
Where to Stay in La Rochelle
I had the privilege to stay at Hotel Saint Nicolas which was a cute and charming hotel including a brilliant breakfast buffet. The room was comfortable and clean.
If you’d rather stick on a budget or look at the other options, check what’s available in La Rochelle or take a look at the holiday rentals in La Rochelle here.
Where to Go Next
If you’re planning on staying in France you might want to check out Bordeaux or other destinations around Bordeaux. Otherwise, I’d recommend you head east in the direction of Occitania, which is a beautiful mountain region.
If you’d rather stick to something more popular, Paris is always a great idea!
Disclaimer: This trip was organized by Atout France and Destination Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
