La Rochelle is a female given name from a French word meaning “small rock.” Known as La Ville Blanche (the White City), it is one of France’s foremost seaports in history. The city has arcaded walkways, ghoulish gargoyles, half timbered houses protecting them from the salt air, and a large collection of lighthouses.
This town is set on the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic cost it goes without a doubt that the gastronomy is influenced by the sea, therefore there is large variety of delicious seafood dishes, in the Old city you will find some delightful restaurants serving the famous snails but also the charentais melon, local goat cheese or the rooster pineau.
And if you like shopping, there are a lot of local shops in the city centre where you can browse between clothes, artwork, accessories, jewelry, souvenirs, and books.
Those who have tasted the charms of La Rochelle will tell you that what characterizes the most La Rochelle is its unique sweetness of life.
Events
In late June, early July, La Rochelle International Film Festival takes place, for the pleasure of discovering films. If you are a film enthusiast there are no fewer than 200 films to be seen in just 10 days.
During July, the famous Francofolies of La Rochelle await you on site. A hundred concerts are planned over 5 days. Most are french artists on stage to the delight of music lovers.
Late September, early October, the Grand Pavois opens its doors to lovers of boating. The boat show attracts no less than 100k visitors each year.
Access by train
The average journey time by train between London and La Rochelle Ville is 9 hours and 47 minutes, with around 10 trains per day.
Access by plane
You can reach La Rochelle direct with Ryanair from Stansted, easyJet from Bristol and Gatwick, and Flybe from Birmingham, Manchester and Southampton.
How to get around?
The city’s public transport and TER trains allow you to travel all around the city center, or you can also walk as the old city is mostly pedestrian.
