I really like La Rochelle, this port city with its history still clearly visible, featuring its 3 towers that proudly recall the story of this fishing town. I believe this was my third time visiting. The first time was a very long time ago during the Francofolies (the city’s famous music festival), and I also went there a few years ago for a short weekend. This time, we went with my favorite photographer for a long 3-day weekend.
Since the train tickets were a bit too expensive for my taste, we drove there (plan for about 4.5 hours of travel from Paris), so it wasn’t worth the trip for less than 3 days. I think 3 or 4 days is the perfect length for a quick getaway to La Rochelle if you’re driving.
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Table of Contents
Ideas for things to do during a getaway to La Rochelle
As usual, I’m sharing a small selection of ideas for outings, visits—in short, things to do (generally everything is walkable)—to discover the destination. Obviously, I also highly recommend taking the time to stroll through the city, especially towards the old port, as it’s a very pleasant area to wander.
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Take a boat tour of Fort Boyard with Croisières Inter-Iles
La Rochelle’s boat companies offer many packages for sea excursions or maritime stopovers, with regular connections to the islands of Ré, Aix, and Oléron, with a sea-based discovery of Fort Boyard in between. We were very lucky, as the weather was splendid during our little sea trip, unlike the following days.
There are several trips available, but since we had limited time, we opted for the sea excursion with the narrated Fort Boyard tour (duration approximately 2 hours).
My advice: I recommend booking your cruise online in advance (especially during peak season), otherwise you risk remaining at the dock and not being able to board…
Croisières Inter-Iles Pier at the old port Sea excursion with the narrated Fort Boyard tour: duration 2h Book a boat tour Rates: 20.50 € for adults / 16 € for students / 13 € for children aged 4 to 17
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Visit the Towers of La Rochelle
These towers were part of the city’s fortification system, begun in the 14th century under the reign of Charles V. They were fortunately spared by Richelieu after the Great Siege of the city (1627-1628).
They are currently managed by the CMN (Centre des Monuments Nationaux), and you can buy 1 ticket to visit the city’s 3 towers (or separate tickets if you don’t want to see all of them). For my part, I would recommend visiting them all, but this obviously depends on the time you have and your interest in this type of visit. The little extra is that once you are at the top of the towers, you have a superb view of the city and the sea, which can be quite nice.
For information, there is a temporary exhibition “Les Chambres des Merveilles” in the Saint-Nicolas tower (until April 2, 2018).
My advice: to visit the 3 towers, I recommend setting aside at least 2.5 hours in total for a day (you can take breaks and visit the 3 towers at different times of the day with the combined ticket).
Tours de La Rochelle Vieux-Port, 17000 La Rochelle Open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2:15 pm to 5:30 pm Note however that the towers close between 1 pm and 2:15 pm 3-tower rates: 9 € / 7 € the smart tip: free for those under 26 (EU citizens and under 18 non-EU) and job seekers Book the visit via Civitatis
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Visit the La Rochelle Aquarium with Musement
Musement is an activity booking platform available all over the world (it is present in 450 cities and 55 countries) that offers a simple way to prepare for your trip. Its use is simple: you search for the destination you want to go to, look at the activities, choose the one(s) that interest you, book, and pay online.
So, when we arrived at the Aquarium, we had printed our tickets (I think you can even have them on your phone), and we didn’t even have to go through the ticket office; we entered directly, which saves quite a bit of time. Plus, it’s financially interesting since the admission costs 16 € per person with Musement while the adult rate for the Aquarium is 17.50 €…
Regarding the Aquarium itself, it’s a visit that I recommend you do as a family or as a couple like us, because it is very rich! Plus, the short walk (once again, very easily accessible) to get to the building that houses the Aquarium is very pleasant.
Aquarium de La Rochelle
Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle
Price with Musement: 16 € per person for an adult entry
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My favorite spots in La Rochelle (where to sleep, where to eat)
Here are some great spots I discovered in La Rochelle during this short stay, with two very beautiful hotels and a few restaurants to eat well!
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La Monnaie Art & Spa Hotel
This boutique hotel, which is located in the historic heart of La Rochelle, is particularly well-located for a stay in the city. In April 2017, La Monnaie Art & Spa, a member of the boutique hotel label TemptingPlaces (whose several hotels I’ve already introduced that I had the chance to test on the blog), expanded by adding 5 new rooms in “Les Loges de La Monnaie“, a former 19th-century shipowner’s house, adjoining the main building and updated to modern tastes.
For sunny days, the hotel also has a very charming small inner garden where it is very pleasant to sit. In this new annex that we tested during our stay, a sweet scent of roses reigns, which pays tribute to the classic style of the Rochelais shipowners’ bourgeois residences and is inspired by the cozy atmosphere of the literary salons of the time. The pastel and maritime tones offer a warm and neo-classical atmosphere.
This part of the hotel contrasts completely with the rest of the establishment, which is in a much more current, if not downright contemporary, style! As proof, the photo above of a room with a modern design in the other part of the hotel.
Our double prestige room in Les Loges de la Monnaie
It was obviously the occasion for a little photo session and jumping on the bed… You guessed it…
The little extra: the possibility of watching Netflix on the room’s TV (which allowed us to continue watching our ongoing series :p)
The Breakfast Buffet
Good to know: parking is paid, but it is quite easy (at least when we went) to park for free not very far from the hotel (don’t hesitate to ask the front desk for advice)
Hôtel La Monnaie
3 rue de la Monnaie 17000 La Rochelle
Our double prestige room: rates between 68 € and 149 € depending on the season
Link to book a room
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The Hôtel François 1er
Another very nice hotel in La Rochelle, the François 1er is a friend of street artists. Indeed, the couple who owns the establishment very often invites artists in residence to create works inside and outside the hotel. You can also buy some original street art works on-site (heads-up to fans).
Our Room 410
We loved the decor of the place, our room, and the general very relaxed atmosphere of the place. This time, no jumping on the bed (the ceiling was a bit low), but throwing cushions (you have to know how to vary the pleasures).
The Breakfast Buffet
Breakfast Rate: 11 € / person
Good to know: parking is paid, but it is quite easy (at least when we went) to park right in front of the hotel.
Hôtel François 1er 15 Rue Bazoges, 17000 La Rochelle Rates: from 74 € to 179 € depending on the room and the season Link to book a room
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Restaurant Les Fils à Maman
I have known the Bonbonnière restaurants since the beginning of my blog, having already tested several addresses in Paris, and we took advantage of our time in La Rochelle to discover the Sunday brunch at their restaurant located in the heart of the city. The brunch is presented as a special menu every Sunday with a savory part and a sweet part. And then, there is always the inimitable 80s decor of most of the brand’s restaurants with the TV playing cartoons from my childhood in the toilets—I’m a fan!
To taste: the Uncle Jesse plate with eggs, bacon, sausages, and herbed sautéed potatoes (17 €); the chicken club, bacon, cheddar, tomatoes, and fries (16 €); the French toast with salted caramel (8 €); the Ulti fresh fruit juices (4.50 €)
Les Fils à Maman La Rochelle 59 Rue St Jean du Pérot, 17000 La Rochelle Open from Tuesday to Sunday evening
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Le Comptoir Saoufé
On the evening of my birthday (because that was also the reason for this little weekend), we spent an excellent moment in this nice little restaurant (and wine bar) offering regional products, especially seafood. We enjoyed oysters and seafood…
Le Comptoir Saoufé
12 Rue du Port, 17000 La Rochelle
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Thanks to the hotel Les Loges de La Monnaie Art & Spa and the tourism office of Charentes Tourisme for this invitation and welcome!
I hope that with all this I have made you want to discover La Rochelle, and if you also have your favorite spots and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free; the photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
