The 9 Best Beaches in La Rochelle, France [year]

Last updated on August 11th, 2024 at 01:34 pm

Ready to discover the best beaches in La Rochelle and the surrounding areas?

Living as I do in the Poitou Charente, the nearest beaches to us are in and around La Rochelle, situated in the Charente Maritime.

Here you’ll find some of the best beaches in Europe, with over 100 miles of coastline to choose from.

There are so many incredible beaches with something for everyone.

The Best Beaches in La Rochelle

There is lots of choice, whether it’s a coastal walk along the cliffs or sunbathing with a view of the ocean.

It’s one of my favorite places to go for a long weekend. It takes us just under two hours to get there, so not too far at all.

Out of season, our dog Lottie has a wonderful time running in and out of the ocean.

It’s so much fun watching her play with the waves and race up and down the beach.

The closest beaches to La Rochelle

La Rochelle has three main beaches: Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes. These are the best beaches in La Rochelle.

Each beach offers a unique experience and a range of activities, making them must-visit destinations for tourists visiting La Rochelle.

Plage de la Concurrence

This iconic beach is located in the heart of La Rochelle and is known for its stunning views of the Old Port and Fort Boyard Island.

It’s a popular destination for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking and offers a range of water sports, including windsurfing and kitesurfing.

The beach used to be owned by two powerful families from the region who competed to offer the best beach experience.

This is where the beach got its name, as it literally means competition.

Plage Chef de Baie

This beach is a short drive from La Rochelle and is known for its stunning views of the surrounding coastline.

There’s also a great clifftop walk that starts from here. The beach is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The waters are shallow and safe, making it a great place for families with young children.

And there is a lifeguard on duty during the main season. You’ll find a good range of restaurants, cafes, and bars as well.

Plage des Minimes

This large white sandy beach mixed with small pebbles and stones is within walking distance from La Rochelle.

Its name translates as ‘the smaller beach’ and is another popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. With its rocky shore, you’ll also find people fishing and scuba diving.

There are some great seafood restaurants here, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The best beaches in Île de Ré

Île de Ré has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful islands in France. With 100 km of coastline, it is still relatively untouched.

The south of the island offers more sandy beaches whilst the north has the ports.

It’s connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it is easily accessible from La Rochelle.

La Conche Beach

It stretches for nearly 3 km and is the largest beach on the island, starting from the whale lighthouse in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines and ending at Lizay in Les Portes-en-Ré.

It really is beautiful and has quite calm waters which make it perfect for swimming. It’s surrounded by dunes and, of course, the Lizay forest, so it has a sort of wild and unkempt feel about it, which is so appealing.

La Trousse-Chemise Beach

Located in Portes-en-Ré, the beach has a sandbar (du bûcheron) that can be accessed at low tide and is worth a walk.

Apparently, the French singer Charles Aznavour was so taken with it that he dedicated one of his songs to it. You’ve gotta love a bit of trivia.

Gros Joncs Beach

This beach is a hive of activity and is popular with families with its sailing club and children’s club.

Positioned in the south of the island in Blois-Plage-en-Ré, it has the ‘Blue Flag’ (Pavillon Bleu) label, which means it’s environmentally friendly with safe and clean waters.

Grenettes Beach

It’s perfect for surfers as the ocean is a little rougher here, with some good waves. It’s in the Southeast of the island in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré.

You might also spot some kites as the conditions are good for flying a kite.

La Grange Beach

If it’s fishing you’re after then this is the beach for you in the south of the island at Ars-en-Ré. Due to the amount of rocks here, you can only swim at high tide because at low tide, the sea goes a long way out, leaving only rocks.

However, it’s perfect for foot fishing and looking for clams.

For more information on Île de Ré, visit the tourism website >>>

The best beaches in Île d’Oléron

Known as the island of light (La Lumineuse), it has an abundance of unspoilt beaches, many of which have been awarded the Blue Flag.

The high quality of the water makes it perfect for swimming, making it a great option for the younger members of the family. It’s about a 50-minute drive from La Rochelle.

If I had to pick a couple to mention, it would be Plage de la Remigiasse and the Grand Village-Plage. They tend to be the most popular spots because they’re family-friendly and have good parking.

The Chassiron lighthouse is worth highlighting as the rock sculptures on the beach are fantastic, and it’s a lovely walk around the lighthouse itself and the gardens.

They offer guided tours, and it’s worth climbing the 224 steps to get the 360° views. For more information on pricing and opening hours, visit the Chassiron Lighthouse Website. 

The Best Beaches in Royan

Royan also has some lovely beaches and is about an hour away from La Rochelle and still on the Atlantic coast.

The standout is undoubtedly Grande Conche Beach, a vast stretch of golden sand that’s perfect for sunbathing and swimming.

It’s lined with coffee shops and restaurants and has a lovely marina where you can daydream about owning a boat.

If you want something more secluded try Pontaillac Beach, known for its superb surfing conditions.

This was probably my favourite of the two, as the town has some stunning Belle Epoque villas. We sat in a cafe watching the dogs play on the beach while drinking coffee, and it was lovely.

If you didn’t know, dogs can go on the beaches here out of season, which is usually October/November – the end of April.

FAQS: Visiting the best beaches in La Rochelle

Conclusion: Best beaches in La Rochelle

Sitting as it does on the beautiful French Atlantic coast, La Rochelle is spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches.

There really is something for everyone.

And with the islands of Île d’Oléron and Île de Ré, it’s a paradise of beautiful sandy beaches and sparkling blue ocean.