La Rochelle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

La Rochelle showing heritage elements and a coastal town
La Rochelle which includes a coastal town and heritage elements
La Rochelle
La Rochelle showing a bay or harbour
Minimes Beach showing flowers and a beach as well as an individual male

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 largerMinimes 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

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La Rochelle City Centre

4.5/5(59 area reviews)

La Rochelle City Centre is popular for its waterfront views, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Vieux Port or La Rochelle Hotel de Ville.

La Rochelle City Centre
Minimes Beach

Les Minimes

Les Minimes is beloved for its captivating waterfront views. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Port des Minimes and Minimes Beach.

Les Minimes

La Ville-en-Bois

A noteworthy feature of La Ville-en-Bois is its captivating waterfront views. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Musée des Automates and Musée des Modeles Reduits.

La Ville-en-Bois
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Saint-Nicolas

Though Saint-Nicolas may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Vieux Port and La Rochelle Hotel de Ville.

Saint-Nicolas
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La Pallice

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

La Pallice
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Le Gabut

You'll enjoy the restaurants and waterfront in Le Gabut. You might want to make time for a stop at Tour St. Nicolas or Bay of Biscay.

Le Gabut
Résidence New Rochelle

Résidence New Rochelle

17 Avenue du Lazaret, La Rochelle
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.608.682 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
Rp1.608.682
Rp1.858.123 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (247 reviews)
"Fantastic staff"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Résidence New Rochelle
Hôtel La Fabrique

Hôtel La Fabrique

3 out of 5
7-9-11 rue de la Fabrique, La Rochelle
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.394.559 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
Rp1.394.559
Rp1.601.512 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and on-site spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (611 reviews)
A gem in a beautiful toen
"This hotel is an old factory that has been converted into a stunning hotel. The room was spacious, modern and spotlessly clean. Large bathroom with a walk-in shower. The location could not have been better, two minutes walk from the many restaurants and bars. Wonderful."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Hôtel La Fabrique
B&B HOTEL La Rochelle Centre les Minimes

B&B HOTEL La Rochelle Centre les Minimes

3 out of 5
49 Rue de la Scierie, La Rochelle
Stay at this 3-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Vieux Port and Minimes Beach are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (173 reviews)
"Convenient to points of interest"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

B&B HOTEL La Rochelle Centre les Minimes
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
Stay at this beach aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (247 reviews)
"Fantastic staff"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Résidence New Rochelle
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 eco-certified aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
7.6/10 Good! (399 reviews)
"Okay, cheap, clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Appart'City Classic La Rochelle Centre
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a steam room. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (810 reviews)
"The room was very clean and the bed was very comfortable. Great value for the price. Nice, central location , but a little removed from the noisiness of the bustling downtown area, which was a plus. Cleaning staff were very friendly and helpful. When I needed anything or had questions, that’s who ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL L'Escale Marine
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
32
5 - Excellent 68%
4 - Good
15
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Absolutely loved the town and will definitely visit again.

5/5 - Excellent

Cat

The General Humbert pub is a fantastic, welcoming pub before going to the Marcel Deflandre Stadium which is an amazing rugby stadium. Restaurants good and lovely views everywhere you look.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful place and a lovely weekend overall.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Just a great place to wine, dine and unwind. Perfect!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful city with gorgeous buildings and a safe feeling about the whole place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

La Rochelle is a lovely port with many very good restaurants and lots of things to do.