A maritime hub since medieval times, La Rochelle is the Atlantic’s White City (Ville Blanche) and a French pop culture icon thanks to the offshore Fort Boyard and its eponymous TV game show. The most popular things to do in La Rochelle all continue the maritime theme: stroll around the picturesque Old Port, climb the three medieval sea towers, and explore one of Europe’s largest aquariums. After cooling off at the mainland beaches, cruise out to the islands of Ré, Oléron, and Aix, where beaches and forest biking trails await.
Renowned as one of the sunniest spots along France’s west coast and the gateway to the Atlantic islands, La Rochelle welcomes scores of vacationers in July and August. July also brings one of France’s biggest music festivals, Les Francofolies, to La Rochelle, devoted to French-speaking artists. To soak up the sun without the crowds, June and September are great times to visit, and if you’re lucky, it will be warm enough to swim at one of the city’s three beaches.
La Rochelle’s historic center and Old Port are best explored on foot, but the city also has extensive public transport options, all of it eco-friendly. Yélo operates hybrid buses, electric carshare and bikeshare services, and, in the summer, electro-solar passenger ferries that zip across the harbor between the Old Port and the Minimes marina. To explore farther afield, rent a bike: The long-distance coastal cycling trail, La Vélodyssée, connects La Rochelle to nearby towns and beaches.
It’s worth spending a few hours exploring the Old Town (Vieille Ville) of La Rochelle, admiring the grand 18th-century shipowners’ mansions, the white limestone architecture, and half-timbered facades. Combine a walking tour with a visit to La Rochelle Central Market (open every morning), where you can sample the specialties of the Charente-Maritime region, including fresh oysters from nearby Arcachon. An ice cream cone from local institution Ernest le Glacier is also a must—there are two branches in town.
