La Rochelle Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
French commune and prefecture of Charente-Maritime, New Aquitaine
About La Rochelle
The Romans built villas, harvested salt from the lagoons, and introduced wine production, but La Rochelle - "the little rock" - only becomes identifiable from the 10th century. It was boosted as a port, like Bordeaux to the south, by the dynastic marriage in 1152 of Eleanor of Aquitane with the future Henry II of England. So it didn't just trade with England, it was an English possession, until the French state expanded in the 14th century. From the 17th century La Rochelle was the base for Atlantic shipping, with fishing off the banks of Newfoundland, Francophone colonies in the Americas, and troop movements as wars between England and France were fought abroad. It became France's leading port but modern shipping outgrew the little harbour, small enough to pull a chain across against mara
Top Attractions in La Rochelle
Explore the best things to see and do in La Rochelle:
- ★Aquarium de La Rochelle
- ★Château de Buzay
- ★Le Bunker
- ★Musée des Automates
- ★Musée du Nouveau Monde
- ★Musée Maritime
- ★Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle
- ★Stade Rochelais
Where to Eat in La Rochelle
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Bar Andre
- 🍴Christopher Coutanceau
- 🍴La Bonne Pâte
- 🍴La Kase
- 🍴La Solette
- 🍴Le Comptoir de Walter
Where to Stay in La Rochelle
- 🏨Auberge de Jeunesse
- 🏨Best Western Premier Masqhotel
- 🏨Hotel La Marine
- 🏨Hotel La Monnaie
- 🏨Hôtel Mercure La Rochelle Vieux-Port
- 🏨Ibis La Rochelle Centre Historique
La Rochelle Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: