9 Best Things to Do in La Rochelle

Founded during the 10th century, La Rochelle Old Harbour is the heart of the city. Bars and restaurants line the historical haven, offering great views over the boats from their terraces, Quai Duperré is an excellent place to start your day in La Rochelle. The iconic Towers of La Rochelle are just 300 meters away, and La Porte de la Grosse Horloge (the Door of the Big Clock) is to your right, leading to the Old Quarter. La Rochelle being a harbor city, this area has a unique buzz to it.

The main entranceway to La Rochelle Old Quarter is through the Door of the Big Clock on Quai Duperré. Featuring worn paving stones, narrow lanes, half-timber houses and secret passageways, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time in this quaint neighborhood. La Rochelle Old Quarter hosts a few must-see historical monuments that include the Town Hall, the House of Henry II and the Church of Saint-Sauveur, to name a few. It’s also a lively area that features many bars, restaurants and boutiques.

The 3 Towers of La Rochelle are the symbols of the city. The Tour Saint-Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaîne frame the entrance of the Old Harbour, while the Tour de la Lanterne juts out 200 meters away. Part of the city’s fortification from the 14th and 15th centuries, the 3 Towers of La Rochelle offer great views of the pier and the city. They also feature exhibitions about the history of the city. A single ticket will get you into all 3 towers.

Getting to l’Île de Ré (Ré Island) is simple and easy, thanks to the 3-km-long bridge that links the island to the continent, just north of La Rochelle. You can get a glimpse of the traditional insular way of life while you cycle around the crisscrossing bike tracks of the island. Besides local daily life, beach and seafood are the 2 main points of interest. The island being pretty busy in July and August, it’s best to visit it in late spring or early autumn.

Located just south of the port of the same name, the Plage des Minimes (Minimes Beach) is a 200-meter strip of sand that offers a pleasant place for sunbathing and swimming a short distance from the city center. Mussels served with French-fries is the dish of choice at the restaurants nearby, and you can enjoy a pleasant stroll to the historic lighthouse that sticks out from the sea off the tip of the Minimes Cape, just south of the beach.

During the 18th century, La Rochelle sent many explorers, naturalists and ethnographers around the world. They brought back large collections of stuffed animals, birds, insects and historical artifacts. La Rochelle Natural History Museum puts these historical collections on display in a splendid 18th-century mansion just 800 meters north of the Door of the Big Clock, on the northern outskirt of the Old Quarter. Next to the museum, a beautiful botanical garden also offers a very pleasant place to wander around on a sunny afternoon.

The Old Harbour is the right area to find a good choice of dining options, especially in its southern part, next to the Towers of La Rochelle. You can enjoy fine dining with sea views at Restaurant Christopher Coutanceau, a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Plage de la Concurrence. If you’re in a mood for French-Asian fusion dishes, Iséo – nicknamed ‘the sea bistrot’ – on Place de la Chaîne should be your place of choice. Last but not least among La Rochelle’s recommendable restaurants, Les Perot-Quais on Rue St Jean du Pérot serves creative dishes in a pleasant, unpretentious atmosphere.

La Rochelle Old Quarter and Old Harbour may be old by name, but they have kept a young spirit in their festive ambience. Do you like Rock ‘n’ Roll? Then, head to Les Enfants du Rock, a popular live music bar on Quai Duperré. Looking for a genuine French bistro? Then move toward La Cave de la Guignette on Rue Saint-Nicolas. Here, you’ll find yourself in an iconic vintage bar at which you can sample the Guignette – an original beverage created here. Finally, if you want to enjoy a warm and friendly Irish atmosphere in La Rochelle, you should go to McNulty’s on Rue Verdière for live music, international sports, pub quizzes, and Irish beers and ciders.