France > France regions > Poitou-Charentes > Charente-Maritime > La Rochelle

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is on the western coast of France, in the Charente-Maritime department.

La Rochelle is certainly among the most attractive port towns of France, and is a very pleasant place to visit and to pass a few days. Because there is a great deal to see and do in La Rochelle we have several sections about the highlights of the town (see below).

Things to see in La Rochelle

The focus of the town is the old harbour, a lovely part of the town - very picturesque with its two monumental towers (St Nicolas Tower and the Tower of the Chain) either side of the port entrance, through which you can watch the boats enter. A third tower, the 'Tower of the Lantern' is connected to the Chain Tower by a section of the ramparts that originally defended the town.

The old town, just behind the harbour, is extensive and also very well preserved / restored, dating mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries. The main shopping streets especially have many fine buildings, but you will also need to explore the side streets in this part of the town. The town has an impressive unified appearance, with arcaded streets, houses constructed in the local light stone, and light grey shutters. Boutiques now occupy the ground floor of many of the buildings.

panoramic photo of La Rochelle - part of the view from the Saint Nicolas Tower

La Rochelle falls into several 'regions' including:

• the harbour, with the old town and historical centre - see La Rochelle old town. This is the centre of activity and interest within the town and contains many of the most important monuments.
• the three towers and the ramparts - see La Rochelle Towers
• the section around the old market - see La Rochelle market
• the large, modern port section a couple of kilometres south at Port des Minimes

The harbour region is well supplied with fish restaurants, and before dinner the walls of the old town are a popular and pleasant place for an evening promenade, as is the harbour front. The harbour is very active, with boats, numerous buskers, market stalls selling a wide range of products (mostly 'arty') and a general lively atmosphere.

Across the harbour from La Rochelle old town is the popular aquarium - see La Rochelle Aquarium

The town also has some attractive gardens to explore and a sprinkling of museums, including the Natural History Museum - see La Rochelle Natural History Museum

There is a small beach in the town - just along the harbour from the Lantern Tower. The beach is attractive at high tide although not very impressive at low tide when large stretches of slippery rock must be crossed to reach the sea. Most people head to Ile-de-Ré for better beaches.

The tourist office has a very good guide to walks around La Rochelle - both within the town, and into the surrounding region. The same leaflet also includes numerous cycle rides and cycle paths in the town.

Boat trips from the harbour to nearby islands are popular - including trips to Ile de Ré, Ile d'Oleron and Fort Boyard (well known among French people because of a television 'action quiz' that is filmed there).

You will better understand the town if you know a little of the history of La Rochelle

La Rochelle: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Places to visit near La Rochelle

Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near La Rochelle.

Some places to visit within 30 km of La Rochelle are shown below (if found).

Ile d'Oleron Island at 33 km
Ile-d'Aix Small fortified island at 16 km
La Flotte-en-Re Most beautiful village at 19 km
Marans Charentais town at 24 km
Rochefort 17th century new town at 31 km
Saint-Martin-de-Re harbour town on Ile-de-Re at 24 km

See also La Rochelle (version Francais)

Airports near La Rochelle

La Rochelle airport at 5 km Nantes airport at 121 km

Photos of La Rochelle - click a photo to see larger version

See La Rochelle airport