Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, La Rochelle is a city rich in maritime history and has a unique cultural heritage. It is a lively city, with many events and activities to discover. Our AirBNB concierge in La Rochelle has put together a selection of places not to be missed during your visit.
Whether you are more into culture, history and heritage, beach and idleness, or family activities, everyone will find what they are looking for in La Rochelle. Located by the sea, a few steps from the Ile de Ré, La Rochelle is a historic city. Prefecture of the Charentes-Maritimes department, of which it is the most populated city, La Rochelle is also recognized throughout the country for its relaxed atmosphere and medieval architecture. Visiting La Rochelle is an excellent way to reconnect with history and, at the same time, to confront the modern era. “La Rochelle is a perfect city for getting some fresh air and discovering a city of traditions, explains Eva Roger, director of our concierge service in La Rochelle. It attracts a large number of visitors every year and we are very proud of it”.
Places to visit in La Rochelle, selected by our AirBNB agency
First of all, nothing better than starting with the city center and the port. The Old Port is the perfect opportunity to discover the three most famous towers of La Rochelle: the Saint-Nicolas, Chain and Lantern towers. They have been the guardians of the city since the 360th century, vestiges of medieval fortifications. At the time, their role was to know and regulate the passage of the many merchant ships entering the port of La Rochelle. Today, it is possible to climb to the top of the Nicolas Tower to observe a XNUMX° panorama of the city. Then take the time to stroll through the old town district. You will discover its famous Town Hall and its airs of a fortified castle. It is now considered one of the most beautiful in France. It is also impossible to visit La Rochelle without taking a trip to the cloister of the White Ladies. This unique exhibition space welcomes you in a green setting and will delight architecture enthusiasts while offering a very pleasant calm.
During your walk, you will come to the door of the Big Clock. This Gothic tower, listed as a Historic Monument since 1978, is as massive as it is impressive. It makes the link between the Old Port and the old town. Its function was to defend the city in the event of an attack by the port. Two other very beautiful religious buildings are to be discovered in the center of La Rochelle: Saint-Louis Cathedral, not very large but with superb stained glass windows. Farther from the old port is the very pretty Saint-Sauveur church. Finally, don't hesitate to take a trip to the Les Halles market, open every day, to the delight of all gourmet passers-by who come to seek the freshness of local seafood. A true old-fashioned market, with its colorful stalls, its producers with golden advice and the thousand smells present, the market of Les Halles will charm you for sure.
Need to get some fresh air? You can enjoy Charruyer Park, a large park of 40 hectares and 2 kilometers long. Crossed by a canal and lined with trees, this is an ideal place for a nice quiet walk. You will have the choice of exploring it on foot or by bike along the cycle path that criss-crosses it. It's also a good idea for a family outing to La Rochelle because Charruyer Park has a playground, but also a small animal park that will delight the little ones. Among other things, they will be able to observe goats, geese and donkeys. Also discover the Concurrence and Minimes beaches and finally the Chef-de-Baie beach, which offer several water activities and are perfect for relaxing.
Museums to visit in La Rochelle, offered by our concierge YourHostHelper
Many museums are worth a look in La Rochelle. At the Aquarium, the city's flagship attraction, young and old are invited to explore the sea and its mysteries. The plunge into the marine world continues on the quay opposite at the Maritime Museum. It is even possible to board several ships afloat. For history buffs, the La Rochelle Bunker Museum offers a very beautiful reconstruction of the city during the Second World War, and shows the importance of the city and its submarine base during this war.
For those more interested in art and culture, don't miss the Museum of Fine Arts in La Rochelle, a great classic, located in a magnificent episcopal palace. You will find there many European paintings from the 10th to the 000th centuries. You can also discover the natural history museum, which presents nearly XNUMX objects from ethnographic and naturalist collections, or the New World museum, which focuses on France's relations with the Americas and the Antilles.
The other places to discover around La Rochelle, chosen by our AirBNB agency
Once you've explored the city, don't worry: there's still plenty to discover in the area. Who says coastal town says boat trip, and that's good because La Rochelle offers a large number of them. The best known is the one that takes you near the very famous Fort Boyard. Even if it is not possible to visit the fort, you can actually treat yourself to a sea trip from the Old Port. This will be an opportunity to see the fort up close from the sea. And this boat trip also allows you to see the city from the sea, especially when leaving the Old Port.
Nearby, you can also discover the superb island of Aix. After a short boat trip, the island of Aix and its wild landscapes await you. Once you arrive on the island, you can either rent a bike or set off on foot to tour the island. Beaches, paths, fortifications, creeks and forts await you for a superb day. It is quite possible to walk around the island by spending the day there before returning to the city.
By car this time, you can also go on an excursion to the Ile de Ré. 15 minutes are enough to get there from the center by taking the Ile de Ré bridge. It is one of the must-see places around La Rochelle. The Ile de Ré is quite extensive. It is about thirty kilometers long. This is definitely a day trip. It would be a shame to go there for only a few hours.
La Rochelle is a very attractive destination for visitors, whether alone or with family. “It's a very cultural city and rich in history, which appeals to many people, describes Eva Roger, director of the YourHostHelper agency in La Rochelle. In addition, the climate is pleasant there, which clearly plays in our favour”. So don't hesitate any longer, and take the first opportunity to come and spend your next vacation in La Rochelle!
