Things to do in La Rochelle

Known as the ‘white city’ for its limestone buildings and luminous appearance, La Rochelle is an unmissable coastal city in the southwest of France. Sitting on the bay of Biscay, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and between Nantes and Bordeaux, the port city is rich in maritime history, culture and cuisine. So, whether you want to relax on La Rochelle’s beaches or explore a jam-packed itinerary of attractions and activities, the city has something for everyone.

Drive from London to La Rochelle with LeShuttle

Depending on where you are starting from, driving from London to La Rochelle takes around 10 hours. The first leg of your journey takes you onto the A2 coastbound, where you’ll continue onto the M2 and M20 before reaching our Folkestone terminal just 3 hours later. The journey from Folkestone to Calais is a short 35 minutes. Use this time to tuck into snacks and refreshments from our terminal and cuddle your four-legged friends.

Don’t forget to familiarise yourself with French road rules and regulations before driving to France.

From our Calais terminal, La Rochelle is just 7 hours away. If you take the A28, you’ll pass key destinations like Rouen, Le Mans and Angers. Only 30 minutes longer, the scenic route passes Amiens, Paris, Orleans and Tours. Both these routes will incur tolls – find out the latest toll charges for your journey. 

Things to see and do in La Rochelle

With so much to see and do in La Rochelle, you’ll be planning your return trip before you even leave!

For families

Families will be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities and attractions in La Rochelle.

Aquarium La Rochelle

Plunge yourself into the depths and explore the magical world beneath the waves at Aquarium La Rochelle. With more than 12,000 marine animals immersed in 3 million litres of water, this underwater world is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. 

Split into 10 ‘universes’, the aquarium takes you on an extraordinary journey through the seas, showcasing the diverse ecosystems of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Among the 600 different species you’ll encounter, you’ll also get up close and personal with porkfish, turtles, jellyfish, sharks and octopuses!

Tickets are time-stamped, giving visitors two relaxed hours to explore and plenty of time to fit in other activities throughout the day.

Ready to meet Jaws?

Museum d’histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

Meet the first giraffe to set ‘hoof’ in France, see the skeleton of an orca, and learn about the extinct dodo at the Museum of Natural History. Across five fascinating floors, you’ll find collections on everything from zoology and palaeontology to archaeology and ethnology. Beyond its permanent collections, the museum inspires visitors with a variety of temporary exhibitions. Previous exhibits have explored topics like the dinosaurs, whales, crystallography and mushrooms!

Visitors usually spend around two hours exploring the museum’s collections, making it a perfect pairing with a morning in the aquarium. With free admission on the first Sunday of every month (except for July and August), this is an excellent budget-friendly activity.

Boat trip to Fort Boyard

Fans of the 1990s TV game show (Fort Boyard) filmed on this French fortress will not want to miss the chance to see the home of Boyard and the Professor! While the Fort itself is not open to the public, a boat trip is the perfect way to explore this historical monument and appreciate its jaw-dropping size.

The 20-metre-tall fortress was originally designed to protect the mouth of Charente and the royal arsenal of Rochefort. But, as it took nearly half a century to build, it was strategically obsolete before its completion! It’s since been a prison and a television set.

The fort sits between the islands of Aix and Oléron. Boat trips to the stronghold often start from or include trips to these picturesque islands, so you’ll want to plan in time to enjoy their family-friendly beaches.

Adventure awaits on the way to Fort Boyard

For history lovers

For history buffs of all ages, La Rochelle is a treasure trove of historical sites and stories.

Musée le bunker de La Rochelle

Secretly built in the city centre, this World War II bunker is an unmissable stop on your trip to La Rochelle. The bunker was built in 1941 as a shelter against air raids and was used by the German Navy. Housing sixty-two officers and two admirals, the 280m2 space (roughly the size of a three-bedroom home!) included barracks, offices, toilets, and a bar!

Tours are self-guided so visitors can stroll through the labyrinthine rooms at their own pace discovering videos, artefacts and reconstructed scenes that bring France’s military history to life.

The Towers of La Rochelle

The towers of La Rochelle are the immaculately preserved remains of three medieval fortifications: the Saint Nicholas Tower, the Chain Tower, and the Lantern Tower. 

Legend has it that the Saint Nicholas Tower was constructed by the builder fairy, Mélusine. According to French folklore, the fairy flew over La Rochelle with the remains of a destroyed castle and, inadvertently, tore her apron and dropped the stones – creating the tower we see today. This might explain why the tower leans slightly northeast!

Mélusine is said to have built several buildings in the southwest of France and the city of Lusignan, two hours from Nantes, is closely linked with her story. 

Emblems of the city, each tower has its own unique story etched into its walls – the Lantern Tower literally has 600 pieces of graffiti from prisoners of war! With so many tales of imprisonment, military might, and maritime heritage, a visit to each one of these sites is an absolute must.

Even if you are not a history buff, you won’t want to miss out on the panoramic views of the city at the top of one of these towers. 

La Rochelle’s towers glowing under the night sky

Vieux Port de La Rochelle

A visit to the towers of La Rochelle would not be complete without an afternoon to stroll along the old port that the towers guard. The subject of many an artist’s work, the picturesque port is the perfect place to stop off for food and drink. Lined with bars, cafés and waterfront restaurants, you’ll find options for every appetite and budget here – though lovers of seafood will find plenty to tempt them in this port city.

Families will enjoy a quiet summer afternoon in Valin Square where you can enjoy green spaces and an outdoor playground, including a wooden, ocean-themed merry-go-round. 

The quay hosts various events throughout the year, including craft markets, maritime festivals, and New Year’s celebrations, so it’s worth exploring what will be on to make the most of your trip!

La Rochelle’s Old Town

Stroll through La Rochelle’s Old Town and step back in time. Lined with cobbled streets and ornate architecture, the city is bursting with Renaissance character and references to its maritime roots. Architecture fans should plan plenty of time to explore the city’s numerous landmarks, including the Great Clock Gate, the Stock Exchange, the Town Hall, the House of Henri II and the House of Nicolas Venette. Rising above them all, is the 12th century Gothic St Louis Cathedral, whose bell tower stands at the highest point in the city.

After savouring the city’s architectural beauty, head to the Central Market to fill up on local delicacies. You’ll find fresh produce, seafood, meat, oysters, cheese, cognac and much more here. While the Central Market is open every day, the city has several seasonal markets throughout the year, including the annual Christmas market. Get lost down one of the many arcaded streets to find the city’s hidden gems, including one-of-a-kind thrift shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars and cafés.

The intricate beauty of the Hôtel de Ville de La Rochelle

Musée Maritime de La Rochelle

Climb aboard a heritage boat at the Maritime Museum in La Rochelle. Whether you’re the captain of your fleet or a member of the cabin crew, you can explore no less than three restored vessels at this historical attraction. Visit the engine room on the weather ship, France I, visit the navigation bridge on the trawler, Angoumois, or step onto the deck of the tugboat, Saint-Gilles.

Back on land, you’ll find the museum’s permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, play and picnic areas. Discover maritime artefacts, engravings, photos, personal accounts and models in the permanent “La Rochelle: Born from the Sea” exhibit or admire reconstructed pleasure boats in the former fish market.

Explore La Rochelle with LeShuttle

Driving to La Rochelle is easy with LeShuttle and with crossing taking just 35 minutes, you'll be enjoying the sun, sea and seafood in no time. Book your tickets today.