The hotel*** François 1er in La Rochelle has prepared a selection of must-sees for you, during your stay in La Rochelle. Whether you spend a day or a weekend in our ocean-facing city, don’t miss the must-see sites. Follow our hotel guide to visit La Rochelle in 1, 2 or 3 days.
Visit La Rochelle in 1 day: the essentials
The programme for your first day :
To start your visit, you should go to the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle. Take the time to admire the boats moored there, to stroll along the quays and why not, to have a little coffee on the terrace.
A must-see in La Rochelle, the Towers overlook the Vieux-Port. If you wish, you can visit them and admire the panoramic view of the entire Vieux-Port of La Rochelle.
Continue your walk towards the streets of the old town and discover monuments full of history and lively squares. We recommend that you visit the Halles du Marché Central. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the market extends into the surrounding streets. Going to the market is an opportunity to taste the oysters of our region.
La Rochelle is a city where gastronomy is very present. You can have lunch around the market square or in the Saint-Nicolas district. You will find both lively and more intimate restaurants.
To occupy your afternoon, why not visit the Aquarium of La Rochelle? This visit is ideal if you are visiting La Rochelle with your family. The La Rochelle Aquarium is one of the largest in Europe. Allow about 2 hours for the visit. Whether you are passionate about marine life or simply curious to discover certain species of fish from the four corners of the world, the Aquarium will surprise you.
To recap… visiting La Rochelle in 1 day, what to do?
- Vieux-Port of La Rochelle
- Visit of the Towers of La Rochelle
- Stroll in the city centre – Visit of the Halles du Marché Central
- Lunch around the market or in the Saint-Nicolas district
- Visit of the Aquarium of La Rochelle
Visit La Rochelle in 2 days : discover La Rochelle
The programme for your second day :
After breakfast in our charming hotel in La Rochelle, we will meet you in the Gabut district.
The Gabut district is an old fishermen’s district with a Scandinavian style. Why do we find a Scandinavian style in La Rochelle? La Rochelle was a major trading partner of the Scandinavian countries. The area is full of colour and art. Enjoy a real change of scenery in the heart of the city.
To occupy your afternoon, we invite you to rent a bike and explore the surrounding areas of La Rochelle. Take the coastal road towards the Port des Minimes, passing through Aytré, Angoulins and why not go as far as Châtelaillon-Plage for the bravest. You will discover the landscapes of the coast, the carrelets (fishing huts), the lighthouses, the limestone cliffs of our region…
If you are visiting La Rochelle as a couple or with friends, we recommend that you book a table in one of the many restaurants on the “Restaurant Street”, which is actually the Rue St-Jean-du-Pérot. The atmosphere is festive, and you will also find cocktail bars and wine bars. There is no shortage of good addresses.
To recap… visiting La Rochelle in 2 days, what to do?
- Stroll around the Gabut district
- Rent a bike – Do the coastal walk
- Dinner in the Rue St-Jean-du-Pérot
Visit La Rochelle in 3 days : taking to the sea
The programme for your third day :
When we talk about La Rochelle, we inevitably think of Fort-Boyard, the Ile-de-Ré or even the Ile d’Oléron. Depending on the time of year you visit La Rochelle, there are many cruises departing from the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle.
The Ile-de-Ré is also accessible by car or by bike, using the bridge linking La Rochelle to the island. Our hotel in La Rochelle offers bicycles for rent for all your excursions.
We invite you to consult our page dedicated to the visit of the Ile-de-Ré if you wish to know more to prepare your day at best.
To conclude, La Rochelle is full of beautiful places to discover and visit. You can of course organise your programme as you wish according to your interests and desires.
To recap… visiting La Rochelle in 3 days, what to do ?
- Visit the Ile-de-Ré or the Ile d’Oléron
- Or, take a cruise to Fort-Boyard and Ile-d’Aix
Where to stay in La Rochelle ?
Our charming hotel is located in La Rochelle old town. Its location will facilitate the organisation of your stay in La Rochelle. Moreover, you will be able to visit everything on foot or by bike.
If you come to La Rochelle by car, our hotel has a private and secure car park. We invite you to inform us of your wish to reserve a private parking space when you book your room.
The hotel*** François 1er in La Rochelle hopes that this article has been useful to you in planning your visit to La Rochelle in 1, 2 or 3 days.
