La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a city in the province of Charente-Maritime, France.

Access

By plane

Daily flights to La Rochelle are available from London Stansted.

La Rochelle Airport is quite close to both La Rochelle town center and the Île de Ré. Taxis can be found immediately outside the terminal building and it will cost approximately 15 Euro to reach the town center (as of April 2008).

By Train

La Rochelle is connected to Paris by high speed rail. The TGV goes from Paris to La Rochelle daily. Ticket prices are greatly reduced with a youth discount card. Train station is located downtown, near to many hotels and a half hour walk from the hostel.

Activities and Sightseeing

• The Old Port (“Vieux Port”)

This is the oldest part of La Rochelles and also the most picturesque. Most of the town buildings are hundreds of years old and very well maintained. The narrow streets and pale stone buildings give the Old Port a distinctly mediterranean quality.

• The Three Towers (Tour St. Nicolas, Tour de la Chaine & Tour de la Lanterne)

When visiting the Old Port you cannot fail to notice the the three defensive towers, which guard the harbour. They date back to medievel times when control the city was contested by both French and English. They are well worth a visit although you will have to be in good health to climb the stairs. The staff are friendly and speak both english and french. All the signs to the various rooms and exhibits are also both in french and english. You’ll also be given a returnable booklet containing lots of historical information about what is in each room. The cost of visiting each tower is 5,00 Euro (as of April 2008).

• The Aquarium

Nature fans will enjoy the huge aquarium, which can be found within easy walking distance of the harbour (Location). The whole tour takes approximately 2-3 hours to experience and is an excellent activity if the weather outside is poor. Audio devices for various languages are available but all educational notices for each exhibit are also translated in english. The cost is 13,00 Euro for adults and 10,00 Euro for children (as of April 2008).

• Port des Minimes

One of the biggest ports of pleasure boats in Europe. Be prepared to be blown away by the number of yachts in this enormous port. Also, visit the beach beside the port.

• Ile de Re

Beautiful beaches, excellant food and a cyclists heaven.

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Restaurants

Seafood is the specialty in La Rochelle, and there are many excellent restaurants around the Vieux Port. Try the mussels “Cherantais” in a creamy white wine and onion sauce. For a more traditional meal “A Cote de Chez Fred” offers a variety of local specialties in a comfortable setting.

Nightlife

La Guignette Head to this local spot for a La Rochelle specialty, white whine mixed with fruit syrup. Open only in the early evening, this bar is a popular place for students starting a night of partying. The bar is located downtown on Rue St. Nicholas, in an excellent run down and dirty building. A lot of fun, but be careful, the sweet drink will quickly get you very drunk!

The General Humberts Be sure to stop by this Irish Pub on Rue St. Nicholas. A comfortable place to meet with friends, or watch some football or rugby. The owners are extremely friendly, and most of the staff speak English. Occasional live music.

Callhoute Just off of Rue St. Nicholas is this small and comfortable nightspot. Great music is always playing, and drink are not to expensive. Try a pitcher of “Jacquline” wine mixed with tonic and fruit syrup. It comes in many flavours, try peach or melon.

Lodging

See the Listing of the Hotels in La Rochelle

There are many hotels in and around the Vieux Port, ranging in price from affordable to decadent. Prices will be much more expensive in the summer months. The only hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse) is located near the Port des Minimes.