How to Spend a Perfect Day in La Rochelle with Itinerary Map

La Rochelle

【City description】

It’s a popular port town in the Atlantic region. There are two towers at the entrance of the old port and the third tower is on the same seaside. This landscape fascinates many artists. We can find the buildings of the Renaissance. Many ships left from this port to the voyage and we can find this history in the town.

【Overall rating】

　★★☆☆☆

【Time required】

　6h

【Budget】

　23.50 euros

【Fatigue】

　★★★☆☆

【Map and access to Aquitaine】

①Poitiers: The town where Joan of Arc was tried
②La Rochelle: A popular port town with three towers
③Bordeaux: The central city famous as the port of the moon
④Pau: A town on a hill overlooking the Pyrenees
⑤Bayonne: A town where Basque culture remains strong
⑥Biarritz: One of the leading resorts in the Basque region
⑦Saint-Jean-de-Luz: A seaside town where Louis XIV was married

La Rochelle can be reached by train from Bordeaux in approximately 2h20.

Check here for area information around La Rochelle ! !

Presentation of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

As the name suggests, the Aquitaine region faces the Atlantic coast, and is vertically shaped. Bordeaux is the center, and further north are La Rochelle, a town with three towers, and Poitiers, where Joan of Arc was tried. To the south lies the Basque Country, including Bayonne.

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Specialty in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

This region, which faces the Atlantic coast, is a vertical region divided into north and south, centered on Bordeaux, which is famous for its port wine. In the south, Basque culture is rooted in Bayonne, where chocolate is said to have first been introduced to France, and you can see its characteristics, such as local cuisine using tomatoes and linens.

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【Contents】

★=Must-see spots
◎=Recommended spots

Itinerary Map

【Start】

①La Rochelle Station

Gare de La Rochelle

★Go to Général de Gaulle Avenue in front of the station as far as the port. It takes 5 minutes by walk.

②Tourist Information Center

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Get maps and other information here.

★Go to Georges Simenon St and turn right at the end. It takes 5 minutes.

③Saint-Nicolas Tower★

Tour Saint-Nicolas

Time required: 30 min

Admission fee: 6 euros
(3 towers common ticket 9.50 euros)

Opening hour: 10 am – 12h45 pm / 2 pm – 5h30 pm
(until 6h30 pm in summer)

Close: First Monday, 1/1, 5/1, 12/25

This is one of the towers in the port. You can also climb it with a common ticket for all three towers (9.50 euros). Inside you can see sculptures related to the sea, such as ships and marine life. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the town from the rooftop.

★Go along the port for 10 minutes to go to the second tower.

④Chaîne Tower★

Tour de la Chaîne

Time required: 30 min

Admission fee: 6 euros
(3 towers common ticket 9.50 euros)

Opening hour: 10 am – 12h45 pm / 2 pm – 5h30 pm
(until 6h30 pm in summer)

Close: First Monday, 1/1, 5/1, 12/25

This is the second tower, meaning a chain, facing the cove. It was once used as a gunpowder storage. Its origin comes from the fact that in the past, a large chain was connected to the first tower of San Nicola at night. Inside, you can see materials from the American pioneer era. You can also go up to the roof here.

★Go to the street on the rampart.

⑤Lanterne Tower★

Tour de la Lanterne

Time required: 30 min

Admission fee: 6 euros
(3 towers common ticket 9.50 euros)

Opening hour: 10 am – 12h45 pm / 2 pm – 5h30 pm
(until 6h30 pm in summer)

Close: First Monday, 1/1, 5/1, 12/25

Unlike the other two, this tower was used as a prison for many years. Therefore, you can see the prisoners’ graffiti. You can also go to the roof of this tower.

★Go to Fagots St and turn right at the first crossroad to go to St-Jean de Pérot St. It takes 10 minutes.

⑥Clock Tower★

Tour de l’Horloge

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

This is the gate at the entrance to the town. It was originally built as a fortress gate in the 14th century, but a clock was added in the 15th century.

★Go through the clock tower and go to Palais St for 10 minutes.

⑦Saint-Louis Cathedral

Cathédrale Saint-Louis de La Rochelle et Tour St Barthelemy

Time required: 15 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Opening hour: 9 am – 7 pm

Close: No

This town’s cathedral has a simple exterior and interior, unlike cathedrals in other towns. Stained glass is characterized by the fact that it is painted without using too many colors. There are public toilets in the square in front of the cathedral, so we recommend taking a break there (it’s just down the stairs).

★Continue to walk on the street and turn right at the first crossroad. It takes 5 minutes.

⑧Pilori Fountain

Fontaine du Pilori

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

This fountain is registered as a historical heritage site.

★Turn right and go to Pas du Minage St. Turn right at the first crossroad. It takes 5 minutes.

⑨Art Museum◎

Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle

Currently closed due to renovation work

Time required: 60 min

Admission fee: 6 euros

Opening hour: 9h30 am – 12h30 pm / 1h30 pm – 5 pm
(until 6 pm in summer / 2 pm – 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday)

Close: Tuesday, 1/1, 5/1, 7/14, 11/1, 11/11, 12/25

You can also see a painting depicting the three towers of La Rochelle at the museum, which focuses on paintings.

★Return to Pas du Minage St and turn right at the next crossroad.

⑩Museum of the New World in La Rochelle◎

Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle

Time required: 60 min

Admission fee: 8 euros

Opening hour: 10 am – 12h30 pm / 1h30 pm – 5h30 pm
(until 6 pm in summer / only afternoon on Saturday)

Close: Tuesday, 1/1, 5/1, 7/14, 11/1, 11/11, 12/25

The landmark of the museum is the black captain at the entrance. Many materials related to the voyage to the Americas are on display.

★Continue to walk on Pas du Minage St for 5 minutes.

⑪City Hall

Mairie de La Rochelle

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

This is the city hall that was destroyed by fire in 2014. The symbol, the blue-roofed tower, remains.

★Continue to walk on the street and turn left at Caille Square to go to Saint-Sauveur St.

⑫St-Sauveur Church◎

Église St-Sauveur

Time required: 15 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Opening hour: 10 am – 12 pm / 2h30 pm – 6 pm
(4 pm – 7 pm on Saturday)

Close: Monday

This church has an impressive monochrome checkered floor. As you would expect from a church in a port town, it is decorated with ship models.

★Turn right to return to the port and return to the station with the same route. It takes 15 minutes.

【Goal】

La Rochelle Station

Useful Links for Travel

【Hotel Reservations】

Expedia

There is a lot of great hotel deals listed, and you can read comments from people from all over the world. You can also book these together with your flight.

Hotels.com

There is also a lot of hotel information here. Another great thing is that many of them offer no cancellation fees.

Booking.com

This world-famous hotel booking site has a huge number of listings, so you can find the hotel you like. If you become a member and stay many times, you can get discounts and get even better deals.

【Flight Reservations】

Expedia

It is a world-famous travel site. It is convenient because you can also purchase domestic air tickets.

【Attractions and Tours】

klook

This is a convenient site where you can book tickets and tours to tourist spots around the world. Be sure to check it out as they sometimes offer discounts.

Other Cities Recommended in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Presentation of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

As the name suggests, the Aquitaine region faces the Atlantic coast, and is vertically shaped. Bordeaux is the center, and further north are La Rochelle, a town with three towers, and Poitiers, where Joan of Arc was tried. To the south lies the Basque Country, including Bayonne.

furaruga.com

Specialty in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

This region, which faces the Atlantic coast, is a vertical region divided into north and south, centered on Bordeaux, which is famous for its port wine. In the south, Basque culture is rooted in Bayonne, where chocolate is said to have first been introduced to France, and you can see its characteristics, such as local cuisine using tomatoes and linens.

furaruga.com

How to Spend a Perfect Day in Bordeaux with Itinerary Map

Bordeaux is the capital of the Atlantic region. It is registered as a World Heritage Site as the "Moon City". The city is also famous for its port wine.

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How to Spend a Perfect Day in Bayonne with Itinerary Map

Bayonne is a central city with a strong Basque culture, and the town is lined with Basque buildings with white walls and red and green window trim. It is also famous as the town where chocolate first entered France.

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How to Spend a Perfect Day in Poitiers with Itinerary Map

Poitiers is the town where Joan of Arc was once tried. It has also been the setting for many other historical events, including the Battle of Poitiers, which fought against Muslims.

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How to Spend a Perfect Day in Biarritz with Itinerary Map

Biarritz is one of the best resort areas on the Atlantic coast, with luxury boutiques and casinos. The G20 was once held there, and many tourists flock to the beach in the summer.

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How to Spend a Perfect Day in St-Jean-de-Luz with Itinerary Map

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a small town on the Atlantic coast with a strong Basque architecture. Louis XIV famously held his wedding here.

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How to Spend a Perfect Day in Pau with Itinerary Map

Pau is a town located on a hill with great views, and the Pyrenees Mountains spread out in front of you. There is also a castle where Henry IV was born and raised, and you can take a guided tour inside.

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