La Rochelle, a favorite tourist and sailing destination, is the most attractive and unspoiled seaside town in France. The city has beautifully maintained its past architecture, making it one of the most picturesque and historically rich cities on the coast.
The centerpiece of La Rochelle is its heavily fortified old port, called the Vieux Port. Pleasure boats moored in serried ranks in front of the two impressive towers guarding the entrance to the port. Behind the 14th-century stone towers is the medieval core of the city lined with shops and seafood restaurants. From the harbor, boating trips can be taken to Île d'Aix, Ile d’Oléron, Fort Boyard, and Île de Ré.
La Rochelle is home to renowned museums, parks and gardens, one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, and many other activities. Among them: golf, horseback riding; swimming; beach; pool; tennis; sailing; skydiving, flying; surf; spa; biking; fishing; museums; playground; zoo; shopping; cruise; bowling; casino; historic sightseeing; restaurants; music and international film festival; and the International Sailing exhibition.
True paradise for the kids, La Rochelle offers everything to delight the little ones (parks with playgrounds, petting zoo, pony rides, mini-golf, carrousel, biking paths, beach…). With its pedestrian streets, La Rochelle makes shopping easy for the entire family.
Around La Rochelle
The countryside is full of history. Villages and nearby cities offer an alluring landscape of long, sandy beaches, salt marshes, rolling hills, vineyards and forests punctuated with stunning architecture. From La Rochelle, it is a short drive both to Cognac and Marennes, the world capital of oysters and mussels, as well as many small vineyards.
Restaurants
Indulge your senses with the gastronomic delights of La Rochelle. Seafood is the highlight of the city. La Rochelle offers a great many culinary options. Try the rue du Port/rue St-Sauveur area just off the waterfront, or rue St-Jean-du-Pérot, which has everything from crêperies and pizzerias to expensive gourmet restaurants and several ethnic restaurants, including Indian, Japanese and Chinese places.
Want a superb meal? La Rochelle is home to two 2-star Michelin restaurants: one with most famous chef, Richard Coutanceau; the other one at the Yachtman (Le Pacha).