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 centred 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-metre) 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 harbour 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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Résidence New Rochelle
Résidence New Rochelle
17 Avenue du Lazaret, La Rochelle
The price is £88 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£88
6 Jul - 7 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! (238 reviews)
"Fantastic staff"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Résidence New Rochelle
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 £139 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
£139
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (330 reviews)
"Perfect location in the old port of LaRochelle. We hired an Uber driver from the train station. The area is pedestrian only, for the most part. This hotel is literally surrounded by restaurants and gelato shops. There is a market right across the walk way, and the view of the towers is spectacular. ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
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
The price is £65 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£65
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (163 reviews)
"Place to stay if you need access by foot to the marina."

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2024

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! (238 reviews)
"Fantastic staff"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a steam room. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (801 reviews)
"Our stay was good. The hotel is located in a very quiet neighborhood, which is great for people with kids. Yet there where lots of shops nearby and its not a far walk to the main town area."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

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 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! (394 reviews)
"Okay, cheap, clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

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
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.

Cities near La Rochelle