One of the most popular seaside resorts in France, La Rochelle is situated on the west Atlantic coast south of Brittany. However, the town has much more to offer than beaches and bars. Home to a fascinating old quarter, plenty of family entertainment and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, there is plenty to keep visitors occupied whether they hate the beach or can’t imagine a holiday without it.
Many of the beaches within the town of La Rochelle are fairly functional, with plenty of bars and restaurants, pedalo hire and lots of crowds on weekends. Head north or south up the coast to some of the smaller Vendee resorts if you want some peace and quiet. Of course, the best way to get the beach to yourself is to take a boat trip, or drive across the relatively new road bridge, to the Ile de Re, one of the most popular day trips with visitors to La Rochelle. The entire coastline is made up of sheltered rocky coves, which you might even be lucky enough to have to yourself. Make sure you sample some of the fresh oysters that are grown off the island’s beaches while you’re there.
Back on the mainland, kids will love a day at La Rochelle’s aquarium, especially if you’re unlucky enough to have bad weather. Home to thousands of sea creatures from all over the world, the aquarium also features a huge “walk-through” tank filled with sharks and other more unusual species.
For a tourist resort, La Rochelle is also home to a lot of historical buildings, monuments and museums. The most visited, as far as seaside tourists go, is the Old Port, which is where many of the best bars and restaurants can also be found. Now home to pleasure boats rather than fishing boats, the 14th century towers which used to stand guard at the entrance to the harbour, the Tour St Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaine, are still standing. La Rochelle’s old town is a maze of narrow, covered streets and spectacular private mansions, while the unfinished 18th century cathedral features stunning frescoes on the ceiling of its dome.
Learn more about the history of La Rochelle at the Musee des Automates, where scenes from the last 500 years have been recreated using automated figures, while the Musee Maritime provides information on La Rochelle’s important place in France’s maritime history.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in La Rochelle? Then below is a selection of gites in La Rochelle and villas in La Rochelle that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
