9 Things To Do In La Rochelle For a Long Weekend Straight From a French Postcard

There are so many great things to do in La Rochelle. It’s the jewel in the Charente Maritime’s crown. And one of my favorite places to go in the winter is there, as there are fewer crowds, and it’s just beautiful.

I live in the next department, the Charente, so it’s on my doorstep, and we take full advantage of it throughout the year.

Steeped in history, this picturesque medieval port town offers everything from architecture and culture to gastronomy and beaches. Of course, it also has a stunning coastline.

With more museums than you can throw a stick at, you’ll never be stuck for something to do.

As you stroll through the cobblestone streets into the historic district, you’ll feel like you’re taking a trip back in time.

I never get sick of visiting and always seem to discover something new each time.

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9 Things to do in La Rochelle

The fortified towers guarding the city and the ramparts surrounding it add to the landscape’s drama and theater. There’s no better place to sit and enjoy the picturesque bay and take in the salty air.

I’ve curated a list of nine top spots that are worth checking out. All these can be done with the family and include a selection of inside and outside options to account for the weather. Even in La Rochelle, you can still get rain.

No. 1 – The Vieux-Port – the Old Port

One of my favorite places to spend time in La Rochelle is the Old Port. It’s a wonderful place to sit first thing in the morning as the sun is coming up.

The sleepy town is just coming to life, giving you time to enjoy a coffee and croissant, looking across the quay. But it’s just as wonderful in the evening when the sun is setting.

Eating seafood and sipping a cocktail in one of the many restaurants whilst overlooking the floating harbor is an experience not to be missed.

The Old Port is the first thing you’ll see when you come into La Rochelle.

It’s filled with small fishing boats, and you’ll see lots of colorful buildings lining the harbor, along with the many cafes and restaurants. 

If you enjoy ice cream and waffles, Ernest Le Glacier is the best place to go. Their salty caramel ice cream is out of this world.

Strolling along the quays is part and parcel of a visit to La Rochelle. The Quai Duperré is closed to traffic and offers a panoramic view of the towers and the basin.

It leads you to the old town, and if you cross the bridge over the Maubec canal and turn right, you’ll come to the Quai du Carénage.

It’s a lot quieter than Quai Duperré, and there are no restaurants or cafes. 

The Cours des Dames is another of my favorites, stretching from the Tour de la Chaîne to the Grosse Horloge.

It’s a wide and shaded promenade thanks to beautiful rows of trees, which can be quite a relief in summer.

It’s always very lively with street performances, arts and crafts, painters, musicians, and, of course, restaurants, brasseries, and cafes.

No. 2 – La Rochelle Old Town (Vieille Ville)

If you’re a history geek like me, then you absolutely have to visit the historic quarter and soak up the atmosphere. You enter the old town at the junction of the Quai Duperré and the Cour des Dames.

You’ll pass through the Big Clock Gate (Porte de la Grosse Horloge), a remnant of the old town gate, which acts as the passageway between the port and the city center.

Right at the center is the Hôtel de Ville (town hall), a 16th-century building that was partially destroyed by a fire.

In front of the building, you’ll see a statue of Jean Guiton, the Huguenot mayor, erected during Louis XIII’s siege of the city. 

If you like medieval buildings, make sure you go to Grand Rue des Merciers (Street of the Haberdashers). It still has many shops, boutiques, and wonderful half-timbered buildings lining the street.

Dominating the city is the Tour de la Lanterne, a 15th-century lighthouse that also served as a prison. Look out for graffiti on the walls, said to have been created by prisoners held captive there.

If you want to soak up a little Renaissance grandeur, then a visit to Maison Henri II is worthwhile.

Built in 1555, it’s typical of that era. It has a lovely courtyard and gallery on the ground floor. The building is open to the public, so you can explore to your heart’s content.

Finally, the 18th-century buildings of the Palais de Justice (Law Courts) and the Bourse (Stock Exchange) are on the Rue du Palais.

No. 3 – The Three Towers at La Rochelle

Three towers defend the city of La Rochelle, and they have been part of the city’s history for centuries.

All the towers were originally built to be lived in, but from the 16th to the 18th centuries, two of them often housed Huguenots and foreign sailors. In the 19th century, they officially became military prisons.

A tour of the towers is well worth it, as you never know who or what you might see. Tickets are €9.50 and include all three towers.

Tour Saint-Nicolas (Saint-Nicolas Tower)

The first tower is the Tour Saint-Nicolas, a former lighthouse that was built in the 12th century to guide ships safely into the harbor.

According to legend, the construction of the tower was aided by the fairy Mélusine, who, upon seeing the sailors struggling to complete it, offered to help.

She promised to finish the tower in one night if the sailors promised never to reveal her secret. The sailors agreed, and in the morning, they were both amazed but a little terrified by the mysterious presence that helped them.

They kept their promise not to reveal her secret, and the tower became known as a symbol of Mélusine’s power and magic. 

In the 19th century, the tower was converted into a museum dedicated to the history of La Rochelle’s port.

And now, we can visit the tower to learn more about the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Tour de la Chaîne (Chain Tower)

The second tower is the Tour de la Chaine, a 14th-century defensive tower built to protect the city from invaders.

The tower is located at the entrance to the old harbor and served as a crucial point of defense during conflicts.

The name came from the big iron chain that had to be winched up to allow the ships to enter.

Unfortunately, the tower was blown up in the uprising against the monarchy during Louis XIV’s reign.

So, for about 300 years, it was left open to the elements until work began to restore it in the 20th century. A new roof was installed along with the rampart walkway that tourists use today.

The tower is steeped in legends and tales passed down from generation to generation.

But the one that gets my imagination is of a young girl named Marie who lived in La Rochelle. She was said to be in love with a sailor, but her father didn’t approve.

He completely forbade her from seeing the sailor. Determined to be reunited with her love, Marie climbed to the top of the tower and threw herself into the sea.

Her body was never found, and it is said that her spirit still haunts the tower to this day.

La Tour de la Lanterne (Lantern Tower)

No. 4 – Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle

As a thriving port, you can just imagine the number of explorers that have passed through the city gates carrying with them artefacts from their travels.

Luckily for us, these are exhibited in the Lafaille Cabinet of Curiosities, an old cabinet dating back to the 18th century that remains almost exactly the same today.

The archaeological collection, which includes paleolithic tools, is fascinating. 

Other collections include specimens of local flora and fauna, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals, as well as a wide range of fossils, rocks, and minerals. 

All these have been donated by travelers, explorers, and collectors from all over the world.

📍 Address: 28 Rue Albert 1er, 17000 La Rochelle| 🌐 TripAdvisor Review

No. 5- Charruyer Park

La Rochelle is known for its harbor, seafood, and gorgeous coastline, but nestled in the heart of the city is Charruyer Park.

Sitting on the old fortifications along Chemin du Rempart is a wonderful stretch of green parkland.

It was created between May 1887 and December 1890 through Mademoiselle Adèle Charruyer, daughter of Etienne Charruyer, a shipowner. 

She bequeathed 100,000 F to the City of La Rochelle, which financed the whole thing.

What’s so lovely about this is how natural it is. It’s not heavily landscaped and has a lovely, unspoiled feel. 

It stretches for about 2 km and covers approximately 50 hectares. It features a small river, a children’s play area, and an animal park. The best part is that it’s free to enjoy.

📍 Address: Chem. des Remparts, 17000 La Rochelle

No. 6 – Aquarium La Rochelle

As one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, with around 12,000 species of sea life, you should definitely add this to your list of places to visit.

It’s split into different sections, including:

• Atlantic Coast
• Mediterranean Sea
• Open Sea and Jellyfish
• Caribbean Sea
• Indo-Pacific Region
• Sharks
• Marine Turtles
• Tropical Forest
• Gallery of Lights
• Children’s Voyage

It’s absolutely spectacular and has so many great initiatives, such as the Centre for the Study and Care of Sea Turtles. And I bet you didn’t know that an Octopus has superpowers.

Using its past experiences and amazing memory, it can adapt to pretty much any situation it finds itself in. And it can lift ten times its own body weight using its 240 suckers on its 8 arms.

Everyone is catered for, with audio tours for adults and a different option available for the kids.

You’ll learn so much about the inhabitants of the Aquarium and so much more. It’s perfect if the weather isn’t playing ball and you want to keep the little ones occupied. You’ll need to allow about two hours to really do it justice.

You’ll also want to visit the Brasserie Là-Haut for a bite to eat. It has a lovely terrace and views over the Vieux Port.

📍 Address: Quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle | 🌐 TripAdvisor Review

No. 7 – Cathédrale Saint-Louis

This cathedral holds some fascination for me because the tombstones of the Knights Templar were discovered during an excavation. If you enjoy history, this walking tour focuses on the siege of La Rochelle and is fascinating.

It was partially built on the site of the church of Saint-Barthélémy, which was destroyed during the religious wars in 1568.

It’s a magnificent piece of architecture, rich in history, and was classified as a historical monument in 1906.

The style is very reminiscent of the Cathedral of Versailles, and the original plans were signed by Jacques-Louis Gabriel, the king’s first architect.

Unfortunately, construction didn’t begin until after he died in 1742, and it was overseen by his son, who also became the king’s architect.

As with so many cathedrals, it took a long time to build, and it wasn’t actually completed until 1862.

One of the most popular legends is that of the ghostly figure of a nun who is said to haunt its halls. According to local folklore, the nun once lived in the cathedral and was known for her kindness and compassion.

However, after her death, her spirit was said to have remained in the cathedral, wandering its halls and watching over the people of La Rochelle.

To this day, many people believe the ghost of the nun still roams the cathedral, a testament to her enduring legacy.

Another popular legend is that of the secret underground tunnels running beneath the cathedral.

These tunnels are said to have been used by the knights and monks who built the cathedral as a means of escape in times of danger.

Some even claim that smugglers and pirates used the tunnels to bring goods into the city undetected.

Their exact location remains a mystery, but their existence continues to spark speculation and intrigue.

📍 Address: Pl. de Verdun, 17000 La Rochelle | 🌐 TripAdvisor Review

No. 8 – Musée Le Bunker de La Rochelle

Final thoughts: Things to do in La Rochelle in a Weekend

La Rochelle really is the pearl of the Atlantic Ocean, and if you love history, culture, and seafood, you’ll love spending time there.

Enjoy watching the coastline and spending time on the beautiful beaches. And, of course, don’t forget to try some of the famous oysters La Rochelle is so well-known for.