The holder of immense cultural and architectural heritage, La Rochelle is a typical French city with its life revolving around its port. It’s now a huge tourist destination which attracts many new visitors each year.
From the seventeenth century to the end of the Middle Ages, La Rochelle and its port have played a huge part in cultural and economic exchanges across the country. It’s an ideal holiday destination if you want to go to a seaside city filled with history.
Here are my top spots to visit in La Rochelle.
Table of Contents
14 things to do and see in La Rochelle
1) The Vieux Port
It’s the oldest port in La Rochelle and also the historical center of the city. The old port played a decisive role in major historical events, such as the Industrial Revolution for example.
During the seventeenth century, it was used as a crossroads between France and other European countries.
It is now up to you to discover the buildings, towers and docks that throughout the years have made La Rochelle the famous must-see location it is today.
Notable spots include :
- the Cours des Dames, where you can go for a pleasant walk away from the overbearing sun thanks to the natural shadows provided by the tall buildings.
- the Grosse Horloge, one of the oldest ruins in the city – dating back to the Middle Ages.
2) The Ferris Wheel
Located in the Vieux Port, this Ferris wheel welcomes visitors from 10 AM to 11 PM, and is over 40 meters tall and weighs over 800 tons.
Its brand-new mechanism will lift you high enough for you to enjoy the most captivating and breathtaking view of the docks that you could ask for.
Including 30 seats – each one holding up to 6 people – La Rochelle’s white Ferris wheel perfectly blends into its environment.
Prices: 3 revolutions for 5 euros
3) The Aquarium
Quai Louis Prunier
Next to the Vieux Port, you’ll find the aquarium of La Rochelle. Not only is it one of the biggest in France, it’s also one of the biggest in Europe!
During your 2-hour-visit, you’ll get to meet no less than 12,000 fish coming from all around the globe and living now inside their gigantic tanks.
Lose yourself in the gorgeous scene of all those different species assembled together. Neither you nor your children will be immune to the magic spell which will be cast on you.
Prices:
- Adults: 16.50 euros
- Children: 12 euros
Opening hours:
- October to March: 10 AM – 8 PM
- April to June: 9 AM – 8 PM
- July to August: 9 AM – 11 PM
4) The Natural History Museum
This almost-200-year-old museum offers visitors the opportunity to discover the Charente-Maritime’s natural and cultural heritage throughout a 2300 m² exhibition.
More than 10,000 objects are being exhibited – you’ll hardly run out of things to look at!
Prices:
- Adults: 6 euros
- Children: free
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 2 PM – 6 PM
- Monday: closed
Website (in french).
5) The Bunker de La Rochelle
Le Bunker de La Rochelle, 8 rue des Dames
If you’re a sucker for a good story, you’ll be happy to find this authentic German bunker that was built during the German occupation, which was kept secret until a few years ago.
Still immaculate after almost 80 years, this bunker will help you understand how La Rochelle and its citizens lived through these dire times.
Thanks to the exhibition of authentic clothes and other objects, as well as the documentaries, you’ll learn more about a soldier’s everyday life during World War II.
Prices:
- Adults: 8 euros
- Children (5 – 12): 6 euros
- Free for children younger than 5 years old
Opening hours:
- April 1st to September 30th: (every day) 10 AM – 7 PM
- October 1st to March 31st: (every day) 10 AM – 6 PM
Website (in French).
6) The Vieux Port’s towers
Let’s head back to the Vieux Port, specifically to the three towers located on the seafront.
- Tour Saint-Nicolas: classified as a historical monument half a century ago, this tower was used in combination with the Tour de la Chaîne to block the way into the port thanks to chains attached to each one of the towers. It also symbolises the city’s sovereignty.
- Tour de la Chaîne: holds a permanent exhibition on immigration.
- Tour de la Lanterne: used to be a prison, and the writings and drawings on the walls left by the prisoners throughout the years are now being exhibited.
Opening hours:
- October 1st to March 31st, every day from:
- 10 AM to 1 PM
- 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM
- April 1st to June 30th / September 1st to September 30th, every day from:
- 10 AM to 1 PM
- 2:15 PM to 6:30 PM
- July 1st to August 31st, every day from:
- 10 AM to 6:30 PM
7) Le Parc Charruyer
Chemin des Remparts
This green haven was created in La Rochelle by the end of the nineteenth century to replace a military district.
This park, covering an area of 40 hectares, will satisfy each one of your needs: flowery roads, immense green areas, a road leading to the ocean…
All of that mixed with recreational areas for kids, farm animals and wild animals for you to see.
Opening hours:
- open 24/7
8) Maritime Museum of La Rochelle
Place Bernard Moitessier
As already stated, La Rochelle is a city filled with history – so naturally museums will take the bigger part of your visit.
So let us head to another museum, this time around the theme of the French maritime. Thanks to this museum you’ll learn how an authentic ship works. You’ll get to visit the engine room, the bow of the boat, the kitchen and of course the captain’s cabin.
You also might want to check out the exhibition entitled “La Rochelle née dans la mer” [translated “La Rochelle, born in the sea”] which narrates the founding of the city using plans and models.
Opening hours:
- April to June / September to November, everyday from:
- 10 AM to 6:30 PM
- July to August, everyday from:
- 10 AM to 7 PM
Prices:
- Adults: 9 euros
- Children (18 and younger): 6.5 euros
Website (in French)
9) Quartier Saint-Nicolas
If you’re looking for a street to navigate from one shop to another with restaurants near you, you’ve come to the right place here at Quartier Saint-Nicolas.
This authentic bohemian-inspired neighborhood, next to the Vieux Port, is the perfect place for you to enjoy a shopping afternoon as a family or with friends.
10) Minimes Beach
Only a 40-minute-walk from the Vieux port – and 20 minutes by car – Minimes beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the most visited in Charente Maritime.
The beach has a variety of amenities such as automated toilets, restaurants and also some rentable water-related-sports equipment for you to have fun with (kayak, sailing…).
Access is forbidden to dogs during summertime.
If the sky is clear enough, you might see the Fort Boyard in the distance – it’s a fort that was made very famous by a TV show in France.
11) Museum of Automata and Small-scale Models
12-14 rue de la Désirée
First ever museum on the subject in France, the Museum of Automata and Small-scale Models is a goldmine for mecha fans and animation enthusiasts.
Gathering pieces from all around Europe, the exhibition has a rich display for you to look at.
This time-traveling experience will make you feel like a child at the first sight of it.
You can either choose to visit it by yourself or with a guide.
Prices:
- Adults: 12 euros
- Children: 8 euros
Opening hours:
- Usually, from:
- 2 PM to 7 PM
- During holidays in France, from:
- 10 AM to 12:30 PM
- 2 PM to 7 PM
- During summertime, from:
- 9:30 AM to 7 PM
12) The Downtown Marché
1 rue Gambetta
What would a French city or town look like with no markets for you to purchase fresh products at? La Rochelle does not have the answer to your question, but it sure has a good market! Every day, it gets invaded by thousands of visitors, both regulars and tourists.
Highly praised for the quality of its produce, you’d find anything at the downtown market: be it fresh seafood, delicious French pastries, good quality meat, vegetables, fruit…
You’ll be guaranteed to be a satisfied customer!
13) Rue sur les Murs
Perhaps one of the most authentic-looking streets in La Rochelle, the Rue sur les Murs is a literal corridor through history. Walk along the channel heading towards the Vieux Port while enjoying a majestic and unforgettable view of the ocean.
This road links the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne and is a must-see spot, whether you’re passionate about history or not.
14) The Escape Hunt Experience
12 Rue Alfred Kastler
If you’re looking for a more original activity in the area, how about you try one of the best escape games France has to offer? Escape games are ideal family-bonding activities, and this one is the biggest in the whole region.
You’ll be faced with challenges and riddles at different levels of difficulties so that anyone can enjoy themselves.
Prices: Between 90 and 110 euros (total) for 3 to 5 people
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 2 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM to 10 PM
Website (in French for the La Rochelle escape game).
What to do near La Rochelle?
The Marais Poitevin
Located one hour away from La Rochelle, the Marais Poitevin is the ideal destination to spend time as a family in a luxurious natural setting. Here you can do some hiking or just walk around for a bit. You can also use a bike.
Nicknamed “The Green Venice”, you can visit on a small boat. Just find a map of the canals and visit it the way you want to! You can also pay a professional guide to teach you all the details about this unusual destination.
The Ré Island
The Ré Island is the fourth largest island in France and one of the most well-known places in the country. It’s easy to access, especially from La Rochelle – a bridge links the island to the city. You can go there by car, on a bike, or on a boat.
Some of the must-see spots include: the Phare des Baleines, the beaches and the restaurants. Begin exploring the Ré Island while staying at La Rochelle with no hesitation, as they’re very close to each other.
Puy du Fou
85590 Les Epesses
Only a hour and a half away from La Rochelle, the Puy du Fou is a historical theme park you should pay a visit to. It’s reputed for its mind-blowing and grandiose shows – which sometimes include more than 100 actors – that are performed every day for your entertainment.
Decor, costumes, props, special effects… everything will be used in order to offer you the highest quality of show.
How many days should you spend in La Rochelle?
To tell you the truth, depending on how many days you choose to spend in La Rochelle, you might not have the time to visit everything we’ve listed – especially the museums that tend to need a lot of time to go through.
There are, however, set itineraries to help you save some time and visit as much as possible.
Whether you plan to stay for 1, 2 or 3 days, we’ve created a little schedule to help you plan your visit. It has been specifically crafted for people visiting by foot or on a bike.
Visit La Rochelle in 1 day
A single day to visit is very short, but you’ll have enough time to get a feel of what the city has to offer.
Start with the Vieux Port. Listening to the stories the docks, buildings and towers have to tell you will take the better part of your morning – especially if you decide to visit the three towers! If you feel like it, don’t hesitate to get a ride on the Ferris wheel.
Enjoy your lunch in the restaurant of your choice – the docks are filled with them.
Then, schedule your whole afternoon to take the time to properly explore the Parc Charruyer and its 40 hectares.
Visit La Rochelle in 2 days
If you have another day on your hands, then here’s what you could do.
Start the day visiting the Downtown Marché – after all the best-quality products are often only available early in the morning before someone else buys it.
Then visit a museum of your choice from the ones we’ve selected previously.
Afterwards, you can go to the Minimes Beach – without forgetting your swimsuit and sun block – and perhaps end your day at the nearby mall.
Visit La Rochelle in 3 days
If you decide to visit La Rochelle in 3 days, then here’s what you could do to spice up your last day.
Head to the Ré Island, and just spend the day there! Discover what the island has to offer, while enjoying the local restaurants and the beautiful scenery.
Our best hotels in La Rochelle
Now that you know what you should do during the day in La Rochelle, you should focus on where to spend the night. To help you out, we’ve carefully crafted a list of some of the hotels with the best quality/price ratio in the city.
Un Hotel en Ville
20 Place Du Maréchal
Located in the historical center of the city – in the Vieux Port – Un Hotel en Ville offers you a simple yet comfortable room with a gorgeous view of the Vieux Port and the Tour de la Lanterne – and all of that at a very affordable price.
Surrounded by many restaurants, this hotel is ideally located; also expect a copious breakfast buffet in the morning.
Prices: rooms starting from 56 euros
TripAdvisor’s rating: 5/5
For more information and reservations.
La Maison du Palmier
23, Place du Maréchal Foch
Only a few steps away from the Vieux Port, La Maison du Palmier is a quaint guest house dating back to the eighteenth century. The name comes from the palm tree that was planted in the courtyard – warmly welcoming new visitors.
If you’re looking for a peaceful and authentic-looking hotel, you’ve come to the right place.
Prices: rooms starting from 110 euros
TripAdvisor’s rating: 5/5
For more information and reservations
Hotel La Monnaie Art et Spa
3 Rue De La Monnaie
Occupying a building dating back to the seventeenth century, the Hotel La Monnaie Art et Spa has a lot to offer.
As the name suggests, the hotel has a spa for you to enjoy as well as different art pieces on display all over the building. To put it simply, expect to relax in a beautiful and inspiring setting.
Prices: Rooms starting from 98 euros
TripAdvisor’s rating: 4/5
For more information and reservations
Le Champlain Les Collectionneurs
30 Rue Rambaud
This hotel is located right next to the Parc Charruyer and 5 minutes away from the Vieux Port. The spacious rooms are finely decorated and well equipped (flat screen, free wifi). There is also a bar waiting for you. Free newspapers from all around the globe are also provided.
A copious breakfast buffet will welcome you when you wake up.
Prices: rooms starting from 79 euros
TripAdvisor’s rating: 4.5/5
For more information and reservations
Novotel La Rochelle Centre
Avenue de la Porte Neuve
A 10-minute-walk away from the Vieille Ville, the Novotel La Rochelle Centre has a beautiful exterior pool for you to enjoy, as well as soundproofed rooms equipped with air conditioning.
There’s also a restaurant serving local cuisine, a bar, a terrace and a free private parking lot. Lastly, your kids will enjoy playing in the free recreational area provided by the hotel.
Prices: rooms starting from 74 euros.
TripAdvisor’s rating: 4/5
For more information and reservations
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
