Things to do in La Rochelle

New to La Rochelle? Here are the best things to do while you're there.

La Rochelle Guide Vetted By Our travel experts

Start with the Top Sights in La Rochelle

If you're in La Rochelle to see the sights, you can't miss any of these.

La Rochelle Aquarium

⭐️ 4.1 (5782)

Charruyer Park of La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.4 (5172)

The Lantern Tower of La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.5 (2927)

Musée Maritime de La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.5 (2567)

Bunker La Rochelle (Museum)

⭐️ 4.4 (1882)

Musée des Automates

⭐️ 4.4 (1576)

Saint Louis Cathedral

⭐️ 4.4 (1403)

Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.4 (1244)

Escape Yourself La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.7 (600)

Chain Tower

⭐️ 4.4 (521)

Grosse Horloge

⭐️ 4.5 (387)

The top affordable restaurants in La Rochelle

Discover a variety of budget-friendly dining options in La Rochelle city, offering delicious cuisine without breaking the bank.

La Boussole

⭐️ 4.4 (2934)

Price Range: $$

La Fleur de Sel

⭐️ 4.4 (2688)

Price Range: $$

GINGER-LAROCHELLE

⭐️ 4.6 (1669)

Price Range: $$

Mamie Bigoude La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.7 (1534)

Price Range: $$

La Storia

⭐️ 4.7 (1493)

Price Range: $$

Le P'tit Amiral

⭐️ 4.5 (1436)

Price Range: $$

RESTAURANT LA MAREE , Fruits de Mer et Poissons

⭐️ 4.4 (1167)

Price Range: $$

Le Panier de Crabe

⭐️ 4.7 (991)

Price Range: $$

Bon Temps

⭐️ 4.2 (973)

Price Range: $$

Prao Restaurant

⭐️ 4.4 (874)

Price Range: $$

les 2 tours

⭐️ 4.7 (873)

Price Range: $$

Checkout these incredible local experiences in La Rochelle

These are curated, high quality experiences in La Rochelle hosted by locals!

Yoga & Brunch

Sailing trip to La Rochelle

Follow an 18th century merchant's daughter

Yoga on the Beach in La Rochelle

Treasure Hunt - The Treasure of Océâmes

The Secret of the Lighthouse at the End of the World

Immersion in Protestant history

Escape Game - The Sixth Sense

Escape Tour - La Cavale des Quatre Sergents

End your night in some of the best bars in La Rochelle

Discover the most vibrant nightlife scenes in La Rochelle, curated exclusively for you.

The Famous Pub

⭐️ 4.4 (1356)

Price Range: $$

Le Dock Café

⭐️ 4.2 (1257)

Price Range: $$

The Jolly Sailor

⭐️ 4.3 (1032)

Price Range: $$

Barracuda La Rochelle

⭐️ 4.9 (838)

The General Humbert's

⭐️ 4.3 (740)

Price Range: $$

Cav 'A' So '

⭐️ 4.3 (578)

Price Range: $$

Le France 1 - Bar de la mer

⭐️ 4.5 (527)

Le Bathyscaphe

⭐️ 4.6 (516)

Price Range: $$

bad boys

⭐️ 4.1 (442)

Price Range: $$

L'Alibi

⭐️ 4.4 (431)

Price Range: $$

Le Mary Lili

⭐️ 4.8 (381)

Pick from the best places to stay in La Rochelle

If you're looking for some of the best hotels in La Rochelle you've come to the right place.

Un Hôtel En Ville

#1 of 43 hotels in ...

Le Champlain

#2 of 43 hotels in ...

Central Park Hôtel &...

#3 of 43 hotels in ...

Hôtel Le Transatlant...

#4 of 43 hotels in ...

Best Western Premier...

#5 of 43 hotels in ...

Maison des Ambassadeurs

#7 of 43 hotels in ...

Le Manoir Hôtel

#8 of 43 hotels in ...

Hôtel Les Brises

#9 of 43 hotels in ...

Hotel La Fabrique

#10 of 43 hotels in...

Hôtel Saint Nicolas

#11 of 43 hotels in...

Check out these bookable attractions in La Rochelle

These are some of the best tours, museums, and activities in La Rochelle.

Morning Catamaran Cruise

Sunset Catamaran Experience

Fort Boyard Catamaran Cruise

Seven Wonders of La Rochelle Exploration Game

Looking for unforgettable fine-dining experiences in La Rochelle?

Hungry? We've got the best rated, the best of the best.

Bar André

⭐️ 4 (1974)

Price Range: $$$

Restaurant Les Flots

⭐️ 4.4 (1440)

Price Range: $$$

Les 4 Sergents

⭐️ 4.2 (1319)

Price Range: $$$

Christopher Coutanceau

⭐️ 4.7 (938)

Price Range: $$$$

Brasserie Là-Haut

⭐️ 3.8 (573)

Price Range: $$$

Frequently asked questions:

  1. Explore La Rochelle's Narrow Streets: The medieval city of La Rochelle is made up of narrow cobblestone streets that line up, each street revealing its own unique character. Visitors should take the time to wander through the alleys and explore the interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants.
  2. Visit La Rochelle’s Famous Harbor: La Rochelle’s large harbor is one of the city’s most famous attractions. Visitors can take a seafood cruise, explore the beautiful waterfront, or simply enjoy the views of the stunning castle, while watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.
  3. Experience La Rochelle’s Historic Architecture: The Old Port of La Rochelle boasts some of the finest examples of historic architecture in the region. The two famous towers, La Tourelle and La Lanterne, are renowned for their views of the harbor and the city. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking sights and learn about the city’s rich history.

The best time to visit La-Rochelle is generally during the summer months of June through August. Summer in La-Rochelle usually offers milder temperatures and plenty of sunshine – perfect for outdoor activities, beach visits and sightseeing. The city is renowned for its lively atmosphere and dynamic nightlife during these months.

La Rochelle is an excellent destination for a vacation. Ideally, a stay of five days is enough to explore the city and its surroundings. If possible, try to stay for a full week—it will give you time to discover the beaches, the pine forests, and the stunning old-town harbor. Visit the nearby Île de Ré and spend a day exploring the town of La Rochelle.

La Rochelle is easily navigable by walking or renting a bicycle. There is also a reliable bus system which traverses the city centre and also offers connections to the nearby villages and countryside. Alternatively, you can rent a car to reach more distant places such as the islands of Ré and Oléron.

La Rochelle is a great destination for families looking for a fun trip. Kids will love exploring the quaint old town, with its cobbled streets, medieval towers and atmospheric cafes. There's also a great aquarium nearby, plus lots of museums, parks and galleries to explore. A great way to experience La Rochelle with the family is to hop on a boat tour, watching the vibrant harbour come to life.

We've actually curated a complete list of the best bars in La Rochelle. To start off we'd have to mention The Curious bar, The Famous Pub, Le Bathyscaphe. Check out our page on the best bars in La Rochelle.

Not sure where La Rochelle is? Play around with this map:

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