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Plan downtown
from La Rochelle
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map of the whole of La Rochelle
Discover La Rochelle Ocean Pass, THE city and surrounding area pass for 2, 3 or 7 days.
New in 2025!
Julien, from VELOC'17 delivers your bikes directly to your home and picks them up in the evening, before or after dinner. You can rent them directly through theirwebsite (promo code TERREENVUE -5% DISCOUNT) or by calling them at 06.89.11.66.28 .
A weekend in La Rochelle
Here are the must-sees for a weekend in La Rochelle:
- The 19th century market in the old town on Saturday mornings and the Pallice market on Sunday mornings, the weekend events in La Rochelle!
- Visit the Three Medieval Towers of La Rochelle (€11 pass - free for those under 25)
- The aquarium : a 2-hour visit to the heart of the ocean. One of the most beautiful in France.
- A 1.5- or 3-hour walk through the historic center, available on a map from the tourist office. Discover the city's most beautiful buildings and learn about the history of our beautiful city... all independently and independently.
- Have a drink on one of the terraces of the Old Port, facing the 2 Towers; Obviously!
La Rochelle for Families
La Rochelle has a lot to offer families. The Aquarium remains a must-see for children. Take advantage of your stay to book a boat trip around the legendary Fort Boyard and a stopover on the Île d'Aix to enjoy the small coves and picturesque village.
In Rochefort, a visit to the arsenal des mer will allow them to imagine the life of topmen on an old sailing ship, enough to keep them dreaming of adventures for a long time! As a bonus, have them climb the Accro-mâts, a treetop adventure course created on a reconstructed three-masted ship!
For animal lovers, there's an animal park in the heart of La Rochelle, in the large Charruyer Park. You can also discover the Autruches de Laurette in the town of Marsilly (15 minutes from La Rochelle), which boasts a unique ostrich farm. Children will also discover rabbits, goats, a llama, donkeys, horses... enough to spend a lovely afternoon.
The educational farm, l'asinerie de Varennes, in Dompierre-sur-Mer (10 minutes from La Rochelle), opens a few days a week and offers children from a very young age the opportunity to meet their animals (donkeys, in this case). Brushing, petting, and even walking are available.
For the more connected, discover the online game Terra Aventura, which will allow you to explore the city while having fun. A great idea to captivate children... and parents!
Visits to the Tourist Office
Because there is nothing like the professionalism and knowledge of the region's guides, discover here the tours offered by the office.
Walking and cycling tours
Aude got some hiking maps of the La Rochelle coast, the Isle of Ré, and the Poitevin marsh . The hiking trails are well-marked and easy, as the region is flat and the horizon stretches as far as the eye can see.
Charente Maritime is the leading French department for cycle tourism!
In La Rochelle, EVERYONE ON A BIKE!
Here, we love cycling; it's an integral part of life for the people of La Rochelle.
The paths are safe and flat, the bikes are self-service or for long-term rental, and motorists are used to the presence of two-wheelers.
Whether you prefer a stroll or a sporty hike, there is something for everyone.
Spend your holidays in La Rochelle
Here is a list of some of the must-see sites in the region:
- The city center of La Rochelle , its narrow streets, its medieval towers, its atmosphere, its bars and its restaurants;
- The Isle of Ré, for its natural beauty, its small typical villages, its beaches, its oysters, its salt and its cycle paths.
- Fort Boyard and the island of Aix , accessible only by boat, departing from the Old Port of La Rochelle;
- Châtelaillon-Plage , the seaside town; for its 3km beach, its unusual villas, its family atmosphere and its magnificent church;
- Rochefort , maritime arsenal, birthplace of the Hermione, town of Pierre Loti, spa resort... Unusual gems are to be discovered in this town.
- The Marais Poitevin, known as the Green Venice. A listed nature reserve 40 minutes from La Rochelle towards Niort. A beautiful green stopover on a boat in the silence of nature!
...And many other things to discover...on a future stay... ;-)
Off the beaten track
For those who wish to discover our region in a different way than the main tourist routes, here are some great discoveries:
- Foreshore tour ; Saphia invites you to discover the coastline of the Ile de Ré. A truly fascinating approach, for Aude, the best coastal tour to understand the ocean and all it brings.
- L'Houmeau, Lauzières, Marsilly, and Esnandes: the northern coast of La Rochelle is perfect for exploring by bike or on foot. Wild, rugged, and full of delicious seafood restaurants, it's THE place to take a deep breath of invigorating sea air.
- Visit the region's castles : La Roche Courbon, Crazannes, Buzay... To immerse yourself in history and explore the Renaissance gardens.
- South Coast: Les Boucholeurs : a small oyster farming village that has retained all of its old-world charm. Mussel Festival in early August.
- The carrelets promenade , from Yves Bay to Fouras les Bains: On the cliff the path is now prohibited because of erosion but in Fouras the carrelets are accessible and beautiful photos can be taken at sunset.
Getting around La Rochelle
La Rochelle aims to become the first zero-carbon urban and coastal region! It's an ambitious project that requires everyone's involvement. Here are some great ways to explore La Rochelle without necessarily using your car (the good news is, it's possible!).
Top tip: Come to La Rochelle by train . Our house is just a 20-minute walk from the train station and a 5-minute bus ride. You can then get around by bus, bike, or on foot.
2nd Good Deal: Rent a bike in La Rochelle with our partner Véloloc'17.
3rd Good Plan: The Bus. Completely redesigned since 2017, the "Yélo" bus network in La Rochelle will take you to the main sites in the city and surrounding areas. The nearest stop is 300 m away. The Illico 1 bus will take you to the Old Port in 7 minutes, to the train station in 5 minutes, and to the airport in 40 minutes. Easy connections to the beach, the Ile de Ré, Châtelaillon, etc. Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Single tickets are sold directly on the bus.
If you choose to travel to La Rochelle by car, I will show you the easiest parking lots to access our house (Vieu x port Sud and Encan), which are located 2km from the house. The rest of the visit will be on foot because the city center is mostly pedestrianized.