48 hours in La Rochelle – Weekend Edition
La Rochelle In Less Than 48 Words
Often called as La Ville Blanche, or “White City”, La Rochelle is a French port city located near the Bay of Biscay. It is most known for its seafaring history, as well as its limestone peaks, glowing white among 15th century towers, timbered houses, arcaded walkways, and gargoyles.
The three towers of La Rochelle (Photo from Google images)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the so-called White City via the La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport, which is located five kilometers from the La Rochelle city center. From there, you can catch an airport bus that will take you straight to Place de Verdun, which is near the city center. The journey takes just around 10 minutes, and will cost you €1.20. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi to take you into the city’s heart, although this will cost you upwards of €15.
La Rochelle is not a particularly large city; so navigating it should be fairly easy. Most of the attractions of the city action are around the Vieux Port and its Old Town section. However, it is still advisable to pay a visit to its main tourist office (2 quai Georges Simenon, 00 33 5 46 41 14 68, website), where you can get valuable tourist information. It is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 8 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 5:30 pm. You can also purchase a Pass’ Rochelais there for €5.90, which will allow you free public transport and discounted admission to the city’s major attractions.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at La Rochelle’s hotels
Best Western Masqhotel (Photo from Google images)
You can look for a nice place to stay during your 48 hour visit in La Rochelle, at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Best Western Masqhotel (17 Rue de l’Ouvrage a Corne, 17000 La Rochelle, France, 05 46 41 83 83, website). It offers modern facilities, a professional staff, and a convenient location near main attractions.
A nice alternative is the Hotel Saint Nicolas (13 rue Sardinerie et place de la Solette, 17000 La Rochelle, France, 05 46 41 71 55, website), which is located near restaurants and shops, with clean rooms and delicious breakfast. You can also try out the Hotel Les Brises (1, chemin de la digue Richelieu 17000 La Rochelle, 05 46 43 89 37, website). It is an excellent 3-star hotel with an attentive staff and comfortable rooms.
THREE TOWERS: Let’s take a view
At La Rochelle’s old port, you can find three massive stone towers standing guard. One of these is the Tour de la Lanterne (Quai du Gabut, 05-46-41-56-04), a 15th century lighthouse that was converted into a prison during the 19th century, and where 13 priests were killed. You can clamber up its 162 steps to its top floor, where you’ll be rewarded with a great view of the harbour. You will also find its walls covered in prisoners’ graffiti.
Next to it is the Tour de la Chaîne (Quai du Gabut , 05-46-41-74-13), a 13th century tower originally built as an anchor piece for a large iron chain used to close the harbor from enemy ships. Inside, you’ll find many exhibits related to the history of naval warfare during the medieval era. Last but not the least is the Tour Saint-Nicolas (Vieux port, rue de l’Armide, 17000 La Rochelle), which is the biggest of the three. It was formerly used as a defensive point, as well as an anchor piece. It was also used as a prison, and its summit has sweeping views of the harbor.
The three towers are open for visits daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm. A ticket that will allow you admission to all the towers will cost you around €10.50.
MUSEE DE AUTOMATES: Visit a quirky museum
You can also make it a point to visit the Musee de Automates (14 Rue Desiree, La Ville en Bois 17000 La Rochelle, France, 0546416808, website). It is a unique specialty museum dedicated to automated collections. Its exhibits include 300 automated dolls from the past two centuries and over 800 scale models of trains, naval vessels, and historic scenes. You can also find recreations of the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre, and a funicular railway there. The site is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you around €7.50.
FOURAS: Go to the beach
Fouras beach (Photo by Alain)
Perhaps the most popular attraction for tourists in La Rochelle is the commune of Fouras (17450 La Rochelle). It is located on a peninsula, and is known for its five beaches and a forest called Bois Vert that covers over 20 per cent of its area. You can go swimming, sunbathing, and water sporting there, as well as take a leisurely walk through its forest and see a diverse flora and fauna. It is also the site of medieval fortifications, most notably the Napoleonic Fort built on ocean rocks. Don’t forget to visit the Madame Island during low tide to see ancient fort remnants from the Nazi occupation.
DINNER TIME: Discover La Rochelle’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Les Flots (1 Rue de la Chaine, La Rochelle, France, 05 46 56 41 63, website). It offers a classic dining experience, with its creative dishes that you can savor while taking in the views of the sunset. A nice alternative is the Le Coutanceau (17000 La Rochelle, France, 05 46 41 48 19, website), a Michelin-star restaurant with delicious food, superb wine selection, and great beach views.
Café de la Paix (Photo by Michael Clarke)
Have some of the best seafood in La Rochelle at Andre (8 place de la Chaîne, Le Gabut, 33 5 46 41 28 24, website), which was established in the 1950s as a seafood café. You can also try out the Café de la Paix (54 rue Chaudrier, Old City, 33 5 46 41 39 79). It is a brasserie-bar known for its traditional dishes of duck, fish, beef, and foie gras.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in La Rochelle can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Hôtel de Ville (Place de la Mairie, in the city center, 05-46-51-51-51). It is a 14th century building known for its Flamboyant Gothic architecture, battlements, and a 15th century Gothic wall. Inside, you will find a fascinating collection of exhibits, such as a marble desk owned by Jean Gulton and a Henry II canopied staircase. You can also take a leisurely stroll through its 17th century Renaissance courtyard. Admission to the site will cost you around €4.
Hôtel de Ville (Photo from Google images)
LA ROCHELLE AQUARIUM: Descend into a water world
Another noteworthy attraction for tourists in La Rochelle is the La Rochelle Aquarium (quai Louis Prunier – BP 4, 17002 LA Rochelle Cedex 1, 33 (0)5 46 34 00 00, website). It is a state-of-the-art aquarium considered to be among the largest in Europe. It is home to over 12,000 marine creatures kept in 65 tanks. They represent the various aquatic regions in the world. You can see local Atlantic fish, tropical species of fish, bull sharks, and other sea fauna and flora there. The site is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm during July and August, and 10 am to 8 pm during October to March. Admission will cost you around €13.
Shark tank at La Rochelle Aquarium (Photo by Max Edin)
NEW WORLD MUSEUM: Have a cultural visit
Learn more about the city of La Rochelle at the New World Museum (10 rue Fleuriau Hotel Fleuriau 17000 La Rochelle, France, +33 (0) 5 46 41 46 50). It is an interesting museum that houses exhibits on La Rochelle’s role in Canada’s colonization, spanning a 300-year old history. Inside, you can find other exhibits that educate people on French settlements in the West Indies.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in La Rochelle’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to La Rochelle’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is the Club Oxford & Club Papagayo (W of Tour de la Lanterne, complexe de la Pergola, La Gabut, 33 5 46 41 51 81). It is a dual disco: Oxford plays techno house, while Papagayo plays retro ’70s and ’80s music. A nice alternative is General Humbert’s (14 rue Saint Nicolas, 17000 La Rochelle, 33(0)546370108, website), an Irish pub where you can drink the night away along with a friendly and lively crowd.
You can also try out the Le Piano Pub (12 cour du temple 17000 La Rochelle, France, 05 46 41 09 52). It is a French-style pub frequented by the young adult crowd (18 to 35 years old). It also hosts live rock concerts, plus a lively atmosphere.
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