Nestled on the southwestern coast of France, is the charming fishing metropolis of La Rochelle. Characterised by a rich maritime historic previous, La Rochelle’s roots are mirrored in the way in which during which the medieval outdated metropolis has developed spherical its outdated harbour or Vieux Port, the half timbered properties, the lofty seventeenth century arches overlaying the passageways. This was my third go to to city and the place grows on me with every go to. On this submit, I’ll share with you among the many most interesting points to do in La Rochelle.
PS I visited La Rochelle as part of a 5 day railtrip all through the realm of Nouvelle Aquitaine. If you happen to occur to missed, listed beneath are my earlier guides to Bordeaux, Angoulême and Cognac which all share fantastic rail connections with La Rochelle and might be combined, for a quick break or longer go to.
1. Stroll the streets
We now have been blessed with the suitable afternoon, late Autumn late sunshine and the clearest blue sky with fluffy clouds which made it a pleasure to {{photograph}} the buildings and minute particulars of this energetic seaport metropolis.
With its seventeenth Century arcaded streets, there is a feeling of strolling once more into historic previous in La Rochelle. It’s construction has been correctly preserved and brought care of.
The proper streets to roam embody the Rue du Palais, Rue du Temple, Rue Chaudrier and Rue des Merciers.
The street names mirror the distinctive historic previous of the place- la Rue du Temple reflecting the town’s affiliation with the Knights Templar for whom La Rochelle was a key base.
Rue des Merciers was the haberdashers avenue and even throughout the present day, it is the shopping for coronary coronary heart of La Rochelle with many fashionable upmarket vogue labels and boutiques organising retailer proper right here.
Gabut
Finish your stroll in the former fishermen’s district, Gabut. Located subsequent to the Vieux Port of La Rochelle, Gabut, with its vibrant picket properties ( a legacy of the town’s rich shopping for and promoting historic previous with Scandinavian nations ) & rich graffiti paintings is a ought to go to on any journey to La Rochelle.
2. Musee Maritime
That’s the place to review regarding the maritime historic previous of La Rochelle and to find the design of some sea faring vessels of significance. You’ll stroll spherical these ships as correctly, along with a meteorological vessel. A set of interactive reveals will work together you, notably the youthful members of the family. There is a restaurant or numerous tables the place you presumably can eat your particular person packed lunch. Entry to the La Rochelle Aquarium is half value upon exhibiting the Musee Maritime ticket.
Cope with: Place Bernard Moitessier, 17031, La Rochelle, France.
Entry Fee: €8 for adults. Children beneath 18 and faculty college students beneath 26, go free.
3. Aquarium La Rochelle
This unbelievable aquarium is open 12 months a 12 months and is among the many largest aquariums in France. Masking an area of 17,222 sq toes, the 36 aquaria present 12000 animals, unfold over 600 completely totally different species.
Cope with: Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
Entry cost: Adults: €17.50 Children: €12.50
4. St. Louis Cathedral of La Rochelle
St. Louis Cathedral of La Rochelle or La Rochelle Cathedral is an imposing Gothic development, which has been named a nationwide monument since 1906.
The first stone of the Cathedral was laid down in 1742. This Roman Catholic Church is characterised by a cupola with work by William Bouguereau and a late medieval Gothic bell tower.
Cope with: Rue Pernelle, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
Lantern Tower
5. Lantern Tower
Embracing the Atlantic Ocean and since the official gateway to La Rochelle, the towers are a reminder of how intently fortified city was once more throughout the twelfth century. Extraordinarily recommend visiting one in every of many towers merely to profit from the dreamy panoramic view of city and as well as the other towers. A single ticket (€9.50) will get you entry to all entry the three towers (free entry for beneath 18s and 18 to 25 EU nationals.) My favourite is Tour de la Lanterne or Tower of the Lantern which was initially a lighthouse to help info boats into La Rochelle’s harbour. This fifteenth century stone edifice has a conical spire and from a distance, presents the image of a church. In later centuries, the development served as a jail and whereas climbing as a lot as the very best of the tower you presumably can witness the larger than 500 12 months outdated graffiti of the inmates. There are rooms at widespread intervals displaying the historic previous of the place and from the very best you get a terrific panoramic view of the city and the water.
Cope with: Rue sur les Murs, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
6. Museum of the New World
When the frontiers of the New World have been opened as a lot because the people of France from the sixteenth century, many French people sailed to the New World in anticipation of up to date alternate options. La Rochelle serves as a big port of alternate and emigration. The Museum of the New World, highlights the wealth and acquisitions of a ship proprietor’s family from La Rochelle, who later turned plantation householders in Santo Domingo.
Cope with: 10 Rue Fleuriau, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
Entry Fee: €8 for adults whereas youngsters beneath 18 and faculty college students have free entry. The museum supplies free entry on the primary Sunday of each month (moreover July and August).
7. Marais d’Yves Pure Reserve
This could be a beautiful nature defend merely 15 kilometres south of La Rochelle. The 192 hectare reserve harbours 250 fowl species, which might be seen by means of telescopes from the free nature centres. This can be a excellent day journey for nature fanatics or households with youngsters. Uncover myriad frog, flower and bug species too, all through the wetland trails.
Cope with: Ferme de la belle Esperance, 17340 Yves, France.
Market Yard
The place to eat in La Rochelle
La Rochelle is meals heaven. Every meal here is a celebration of meals, of native id and of life. Start your foodie safari throughout the splendidly chaotic and vibrant nineteenth century market, Halles Market. Proper right here, beneath the beautiful wrought iron arches, you presumably can savour the best of native produce and uncover the best merchandise of the realm: from potatoes from the Ile de Ré to the Charentais melon and saltwort.
The huge market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market spills out onto the streets of Rue Thiers / Gambretta and you will uncover every kind of native meals producers
For the best native breakfast, for many who love oysters pop into the stand of Breuil oysters correct in entrance of the market. The oysters are literally cheap and you might also benefit from a small glass of native white wine.For a healthful and engaging lunch pop into the native The Market Yard. Each little factor on the menu is domestically sourced and pure. To finish, no journey to La Rochelle is full with out an aperitif at La Guignette the place you presumably can savour their residence speciality, the ‘Guignette’a cheap, vibrant hand-crafted fizzy fruity alcohol drink created on the premises.
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Ibis Funds Lodge La Rochelle
The place to stay in La Rochelle
Autumn/Winter is when you could get some fantastic affords on inns in La Rochelle as compared with summer season season peak season fees.
On my first journey, I stayed throughout the elegant and actually central 3 star Lodge Best Western Premier Masqhotel La Rochelle the place looking by means of Reserving.Com I can uncover fees for double (room solely) for spherical €100.
On my second go to, I stayed throughout the barely further cheap and comfy Lodge Kyriad in La Rochelle when you might discover double rooms for as little as €70.
On the third and most modern go to, we stayed throughout the Ibis Funds Lodge La Rochelle which is a few 15 minute stroll from the harbour. As you’d anticipate with any Ibis Funds resort, the rooms are clear and comfy with an excellent bathe, a unbelievable buffet breakfast served throughout the ground floor lounge plus the extra benefit of an out of doors swimming pool that is open all through the summer season season season. Room fees start from €65 a night.
This submit is the fifth and supreme submit in a group of choices the place I share with you some ideas and inspiration for visiting the realm of Nouvelle Aquitaine, notably the cities of Bordeaux, Angoulême, Cognac and La Rochelle. These guides and journey was made potential with the kind assist of Nouvelle Aquitaine Tourisme and Atout France nonetheless the views expressed proper right here, good and harmful are completely my very personal.