La Rochelle

Travel Guide
La Rochelle which includes a coastal town and heritage elements
See the ocean from multiple angles in this medieval seafaring city, which features beaches, an aquarium, a maritime museum and one of Europe’s largest marinas.

The 10th-century city of La Rochelle,  has always been centered on the ocean. Originally a fishing village, La Rochelle developed into one of France’s most important ports, sending off the first French settlers to Quebec. Learn about La Rochelle’s seafaring past in its museums, see the grand structures of its Old Port and dip your feet in the Bay of Biscay on one of its several beaches.

Start out at the Old Port, where you will find the two towers that are La Rochelle’s most iconic landmarks. Tour de la Lanterne guards the port and has a 70-foot-tall (21-meter) spire. Climb to the top for views of the city and the Île de Ré Bridge to the north. The westerly Tour de la Chaîne also has wonderful views from its top. Tour Saint-Nicolas, a third tower identical to Tour de la Chaîne, stands farther west.

Wade in the water off Concurrence Beach, a small stretch of sand west of the Old Port. The larger Minimes Beach lies south of the city.

Head to the harbor to find the Maritime Museum. This consists of eight historic boats floating in the water, three of which you can board and explore for a fee. Learn about the waters around the city at La Rochelle Aquarium. Spanning all three stories of the building is one gigantic shark tank, featuring nurse and reef sharks among others.

The city’s other museums include the Natural History Museum, featuring a wide array of marine fossils, and the Musée des Automates, which exhibits more than 300 animatronic figurines. Check out the Museum of Fine Arts to see a broad collection of European art with an emphasis on the French realist painters from around La Rochelle.

Get around the compact city of La Rochelle on foot and by bus. Reach the city through its regional airport, which is served by inexpensive airlines from many cities around Europe. Otherwise, for the most appropriate experience, enter the city by ferry boat.

Where to stay in La Rochelle

Natural History Museum which includes a house and a park

La Rochelle City Centre

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

La Rochelle City Centre is known for its waterfront views, and you can plan a trip to Vieux Port and La Rochelle Hotel de Ville while you're in town.

La Rochelle City Centre
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La Pallice

Travelers like the historic sites in La Pallice, and Port de la Pallice is a top attraction you might want to visit.

La Pallice
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Fétilly

Fétilly is well-liked for its waterfront views. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Natural History Museum and La Rochelle Central Market.

Fétilly
Hôtel Kyriad La Rochelle Centre Ville
Hôtel Kyriad La Rochelle Centre Ville
3 out of 5
51 rue de Périgny, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
The price is ¥13,101 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥13,101
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Vieux Port and Minimes Beach are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (966 reviews)
Short stay
"Lovely little hotel hidden away down side road Quite area about 15 min easy walk from the bars and restaurants at the port Secure parking 12 euro a day or foc parking outside the gate Funky room decor which we liked and funky reception/bar area Good pleasant helpful staff Didnt eat here But would ..."

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024

Hôtel Kyriad La Rochelle Centre Ville
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
4 out of 5
3 rue St Jean du Perot, 4 place de la chaine, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
The price is ¥20,497 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥20,497
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 4-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (196 reviews)
"Great Hôtel convenient to restaurants and shops. We enjoyed our stay and with it was more than one night. Crowded with day trippers on Sunday. Live music in the streets and lively atmosphere."

Reviewed on May 27, 2024

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
Best Western Premier Masqhotel
Best Western Premier Masqhotel
4 out of 5
17 rue de l'Ouvrage a Cornes, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
The price is ¥17,474 per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
¥17,474
per night
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Vieux Port ...
9/10 Wonderful! (655 reviews)
Wonderful stay
"It was nice stay at this good location."

Reviewed on May 21, 2024

Best Western Premier Masqhotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence New Rochelle
Résidence New Rochelle
17 Avenue du Lazaret, La Rochelle
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (184 reviews)
"Great view of the marina"

Reviewed on Sep 29, 2023

Résidence New Rochelle
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL L'Escale Marine
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL L'Escale Marine
3 out of 5
36 Avenue Amerigo Vespucci, La Rochelle
Stay at this 3-star residence in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a steam room. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (743 reviews)
"We stayed for one night at this property. Great location with free parking close by. A good base for exploring La Rochelle. Would stay again but mattress not very comfortable and first hotel I have ever stayed in where they ask you to take your rubbish out yourself. It served a purpose and the bottles ..."

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2024

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL L'Escale Marine
Appart'City Classic La Rochelle Centre
Appart'City Classic La Rochelle Centre
2 out of 5
8 rue Franc Lapeyre, La Rochelle
Stay at this aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Vieux Port and Minimes Beach are ...
7.6/10 Good! (348 reviews)
Nice Appart’hotel as a base in La Rochelle’s
"We had a lovely stay here. The reception staff were really welcoming and helpful. I was a bit surprised because the room picture was of twin beds with space between, but it was made up as a double. I was travelling with my son, so ended up sleeping on the sofa bed, which was easy to pull out, had ..."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2023

Appart'City Classic La Rochelle Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of La Rochelle

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
14
" "5 - Excellent 73.6842105263158%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 26.31578947368421%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is a beautiful city, not so overrun with tourists. The size is manageable and lots to do. The market area was massive and every type of food you could imagine was available. Enchanting.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Quaint French port with lots of modern shopping. Parking was a concern.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I am from here, hard to be objective. The city is as beautiful as ever and the weather is almost always nice even in the winter.

5/5 - Excellent

Lesley

La Rochelle is a perfect place for a family holiday. There is something for everyone, and wonderful food!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lovely city with great restaurants and boat trips. Didn't have much time in town (just one day), but we enjoyed it.