La Rochelle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

La Rochelle which includes a coastal town and heritage elements
La Rochelle which includes a coastal town and heritage elements
La Rochelle
La Rochelle featuring a bay or harbour
Minimes Beach which includes a beach and flowers 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

Default Image

La Rochelle City Centre

4.5/5(5 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
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
Default Image

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
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 NZ$187 per night from 25 May to 26 May
NZ$187
25 May - 26 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (317 reviews)
"Room had a beautiful view of the port and surrounding area."

Reviewed on 10 Apr. 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
Hotel Central Park
Hotel Central Park
4 out of 5
4 Avenue Jean Guiton, La Rochelle
The price is NZ$216 per night from 18 May to 19 May
NZ$216
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (755 reviews)
Great location
"Great hotel and location with east walking to the town centre, ports and beach. Super friendly with dogs."

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2025

Hotel Central Park
Best Western Premier Le Masq Hôtel La Rochelle
Best Western Premier Le Masq Hôtel La Rochelle
4 out of 5
17 rue de l'Ouvrage a Cornes, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
The price is NZ$219 per night from 18 May to 19 May
NZ$219
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (773 reviews)
"Large spacious room with comfortable bed. Staff were pleasant and helpful."

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Best Western Premier Le Masq Hôtel La Rochelle
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.
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! (792 reviews)
"In a quiet area within easy walking of city centre, beaches, local shops. Could have been better if there was a bit more information about getting around eg buses, ferries, bikes etc. Staff always polite."

Reviewed on 1 Sep. 2024

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL L'Escale Marine
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (228 reviews)
"It was a great location good cheap buses to town every 15 minutes . Lots of nice food right there . The room we had with a third bed for child - the room was way too small for this and hot and stuffy , ok as a double - not ok as a family room . No air con so very hot in heat wave but at least nice ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2024

Résidence New Rochelle
Athome Résidence
Athome Résidence
33 Avenue du Dr Daniel Planet, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in La Rochelle. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Vieux Port and Maritime ...
"Schönes und ruhiges Zimmer,freundliches Personal gute Lage"

Reviewed on 16 Apr. 2025

Athome Résidence
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

Activities

Reviews of La Rochelle

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

La Rochelle is a must visit. A stunning city.

Cities near La Rochelle