La Rochelle
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11:34 AM
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is more than just a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is an inevitable place to visit on the coast as one of the largest French harbour cities in terms of business and tourism. With its 1,000 years of history, it is also one of the best-kept secrets in the region. You will be surprised by its architectural heritage, its unique atmosphere, the diversity of its museums, and its eclectic nightlife. The area is quite warm thanks to the Gulf Stream, on a par with the French Riviera!Find your trip
The three 14th and 15th century towers dominate the port area of the city and are architectural symbols of La Rochelle as a strong opponent of state power in the past. You can visit the towers for great panoramic views and some sightseeing! Don´t forget to bring your camera!
The New World Museum gathers collections of art and historical artifacts of La Rochelle. At this unique museum you can follow the past of the city through many different objects such as paintings, ancient maps and nautical objects, art pieces and sculptures.
The Maritime Museum is located in the heart of La Rochelle. Here you will find everything concerning the shipping and fishing industry and the maritime history of the city. At this museum you can also go on guided tours and ask questions to former sailors.
From La Rochelle you can go on a boat that takes you to beautiful Ré, Aix and Oléron islands, viewing or stopping by the famous Fort Boyard on the way. Many organized or private tours as well as nautical activities such as sailing are available. One company who takes you to Fort Boyard including Aix and Oleron Island is Croisières Navipromer:
If you don’t feel comfortable on a boat, you may want to rent a bike and go to the Ré Island on an excursion. The island is linked to La Rochelle with a 3-kilometres toll bridge. Enjoy the empty beaches, sensational Atlantic sunsets and delicious seafood on this beautiful island! Don´t miss the lighthouse called "Whales Lighthouse" and enjoy the breathtaking view on the top.
In La Rochelle you can find one of the largest European aquariums, featuring some 10,000 creatures from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and even the Tropics! La Rochelle Aquarium is also a centre for the protection of marine species and also a centre for marine studies.
If you are staying in La Rochelle and want to go on a day trip, Fouras is a small coastal town that is located south from the port. There you can find beautiful beaches, restaurants and piers. You can also reach the famous Fort Boyard by ferry from there.
Plage de Chatelaillon is a popular beach resort located south of the La Rochelle's city centre. Enjoy your day here walking along the seaside on this long stretch of golden sand. In the evening you can have a nice dinner in one of the cosy restaurants.
The three 14th and 15th century towers dominate the port area of the city and are architectural symbols of La Rochelle as a strong opponent of state power in the past. You can visit the towers for great panoramic views and some sightseeing! Don´t forget to bring your camera!
The New World Museum gathers collections of art and historical artifacts of La Rochelle. At this unique museum you can follow the past of the city through many different objects such as paintings, ancient maps and nautical objects, art pieces and sculptures.
In the old harbour, decorated in a nautical theme, André is best known for its large fish and seafood platters at reasonable prices, including the wine. Here you can try oysters, sea bass in “beurre blanc charentais”, turbot with artichokes or crabs. We'll let you take your pick!
Christopher Coutanceau is one of La Rochelle’s finest restaurants and a starred venue on the sea front. It offers several delicate specialties like the tartar of prawns in oyster jelly or the curried turbot with coriander. This is the right venue for demanding gourmets!
Located at the foot of the Three Towers, Les Flots is a gastronomic venue (owned by Coutanceau as well), which features a varied and fine menu. Daily updates are made in the menu according to the “catch” of the day, a guarantee for fresh and delicious products!
With so many seafood eateries in la Rochelle, you might need a change and want to try this restaurant that offers a great regional cuisine with an extensive variety of wines. The duck breast in honey and lime at Les 4 Sergents is claimed to be just perfect!
In this restaurant you can enjoy an innovative cuisine for a dinner in a warm atmosphere. Le Thiers Temps is popular among its guest and on the menu you will find classic French courses such as fois gras, cod or more original desert such as the Nutella crème brulée.
This is a popular restaurant located outside the city centre, but people rarely hesitate to take the detour. Enjoy your dinner outdoors and watch the sun set over the sea and towards the horizon. Choose between dishes like stuffed clams, salmon tartar, and cod.
This Vegetarian-friendly restaurant is a great choice if you are looking for something different, the menu also includes fish and meat dishes. Les Perot-Quais is truly popular among its customers and serves lovely dishes with thrilling combinations of food and flavours. Think about making a reservation at this French/European restaurant!
Specialist in Italian cuisine, Le Comptoir Italien serves different types of well prepared dishes along with an astonishing wine list. This popular restaurant will make you discover flavors from all around Italy, from pasta to tiramisu.
In the old harbour, decorated in a nautical theme, André is best known for its large fish and seafood platters at reasonable prices, including the wine. Here you can try oysters, sea bass in “beurre blanc charentais”, turbot with artichokes or crabs. We'll let you take your pick!
Christopher Coutanceau is one of La Rochelle’s finest restaurants and a starred venue on the sea front. It offers several delicate specialties like the tartar of prawns in oyster jelly or the curried turbot with coriander. This is the right venue for demanding gourmets!
The 19th-century covered market seethes with stallholders selling fresh fruit and vegetables, fish splayed on beds of ice, and meat. The building itself is worth the detour, but we suggest you come in and buy a few local specialties and fresh seafood, some of which you can even eat on location.
Authentic, handmade leather crafts, jewellery, sand sculptures and more are sold by the artists themselves on the waterfront. You can also have your portrait painted or buy a representation of La Rochelle. If you have no purchasing intention, this market is still a nice walk by day or night.
Cognac and Pineau is produced by this local vintner make great souvenirs for your loved ones (and yourself) as they are very typical of the region and are sold in beautiful bottles. You can buy all the products in the wine store or directly at the vineyard, for the same prices!
This well-known French department store gathers everything from fashion to house decoration in four large floors. It presents all the major French and global brands and is the perfect place to get your fabulous French Woman panoply: beret, Coco Chanel style pants and classy suit vest.
The only producer of caramel made with AOP Poitou-Charentes butter containing Ré island 'fleur de sel' salt. Learn about artisanal caramel production, visit their workshops and taste delicious products. If you are convinced these are the best chocolates you ever had, you can bring some home!
Matlama specialises in the handmade production of bags and fashion accessories with unusual designs. It also hosts exhibitions featuring the work of local artists and craftsmen in a wide array of arts, including but not limited to paintings, jewellery and leather work.
Set in the streets of Port, Vertigo jewellery is an institution in La Rochelle. You will find in this carefully set boutique a wide selection of fashion jewellery in sterling silver, natural materials and precious stones. A store of the similar brand also exists in Paris.
La Maison D'Ambre - literally "The Amber House" - specializes in perfumes, home fragrances, mineral stones and amber jewellery. The creator of the products recently started producing also home decorations such as various objects decorated with or shaped as angels.
The 19th-century covered market seethes with stallholders selling fresh fruit and vegetables, fish splayed on beds of ice, and meat. The building itself is worth the detour, but we suggest you come in and buy a few local specialties and fresh seafood, some of which you can even eat on location.
Authentic, handmade leather crafts, jewellery, sand sculptures and more are sold by the artists themselves on the waterfront. You can also have your portrait painted or buy a representation of La Rochelle. If you have no purchasing intention, this market is still a nice walk by day or night.
The international airport, Aéroport La Rochelle-Ile de Ré, is located only 5 kilometres from the city centre. The cheapest and fastest way to get into town is by bus. Buses are available all week (Mon-sat take line 7, Sundays take line 47), running from the airport to the centre of La Rochelle, and vice-versa, about every 30 minutes. The journey takes around 15 minutes. You can also take a bus to the Ré Island. The bus tickets are available on board (cash only). There are many taxis available at the airport, but you can also book a taxi in advance. (Abc Taxi 05 46 42 22 00) (Abeilles Taxis 05 46 41 55 55, taxilarochelle@orange.fr, www.taxi-la-rochelle.com) For rental cars you can contact one of the car rental companies situated at the airport. Available companies at the airport are: Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Enterprise.
"Yeló" runs an efficient network of public buses, boats and bikes in La Rochelle. You can purchase bus tickets on board or in most of the kiosks of La Rochelle and there are plenty of ticket types to choose from: single ticket, 24 hours ticket, 10 trips ticket and 7 days pass. The Sea Boat is a regular boat service between the Old Port and Les Minimes, with two stops available: The old port "Vieux-Port" (at the bottom of the Tour de la Chaîne) and the public library "Médiathèque" (avenue Michel Crépeau). They run all year long from 7.30am and until 10pm in April-May, 12am in June-Septembre, 8pm in October-March. The famous yellow bikes of La Rochelle can be hired to discover the city! They are free the first two hours and available in many spots in the city.
There are many taxi companies operating in la Rochelle. Here are a few: Abeille Taxi +33 546 41 55 55 taxilarochelle@orange.fr www.taxi-la-rochelle.com Mélitourisme +33 648 22 87 32 contact@melitourisme.fr www.melitourisme.fr Yélo, on demand transport +33 546 34 02 22 www.yelo-larochelle.fr You can also find them in several spots in La Rochelle such as the train station, the airport, the Cours des Dames, in front of the Grosse Horloge and Place de Verdun.
Stamps are available from kiosks and newsagents as well as in any post office. Post boxes are yellow like all over France. The main Post Office is located Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in the centre.
For a pharmacy on duty on Sundays, holidays or during the night, consult the provided webpage. After 7:30pm, call the Police station at the number or address provided here.
Country code: +33 Area code: (0)546
220/240 V AC, 50Hz
The international airport, Aéroport La Rochelle-Ile de Ré, is located only 5 kilometres from the city centre. The cheapest and fastest way to get into town is by bus. Buses are available all week (Mon-sat take line 7, Sundays take line 47), running from the airport to the centre of La Rochelle, and vice-versa, about every 30 minutes. The journey takes around 15 minutes. You can also take a bus to the Ré Island. The bus tickets are available on board (cash only). There are many taxis available at the airport, but you can also book a taxi in advance. (Abc Taxi 05 46 42 22 00) (Abeilles Taxis 05 46 41 55 55, taxilarochelle@orange.fr, www.taxi-la-rochelle.com) For rental cars you can contact one of the car rental companies situated at the airport. Available companies at the airport are: Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Enterprise.
"Yeló" runs an efficient network of public buses, boats and bikes in La Rochelle. You can purchase bus tickets on board or in most of the kiosks of La Rochelle and there are plenty of ticket types to choose from: single ticket, 24 hours ticket, 10 trips ticket and 7 days pass. The Sea Boat is a regular boat service between the Old Port and Les Minimes, with two stops available: The old port "Vieux-Port" (at the bottom of the Tour de la Chaîne) and the public library "Médiathèque" (avenue Michel Crépeau). They run all year long from 7.30am and until 10pm in April-May, 12am in June-Septembre, 8pm in October-March. The famous yellow bikes of La Rochelle can be hired to discover the city! They are free the first two hours and available in many spots in the city.
