La Rochelle is an appealing and dynamic city that attracts many students every year.
It is easy to appreciate its beautiful landscapes as well as how close it is to some of France’s biggest cities. At the end of the day we rarely ask ourselves “what to do?” in La Rochelle, but more “what to choose?” Let’s take a look at all the activities available only 3 hours away from the “White City”.
Explore La Rochelle by bike
La Rochelle is a must for cycling enthusiasts. The city has over 143 miles of bike paths making it an extraordinary playground for those who enjoy exploring cities by bike. For your eyes’ greatest pleasure, delve into the old town and its winding streets, alone or with friends!
Whether you go for a stroll near the Old Port, by the beach or in one of the city’s many parks, you will appreciate the peacefulness of a warm and enjoyable living environment. There are many sights to see: Charruyer Park, Saint-Louis Cathedral, Concurrence beach, Marans Canal… Charente-Maritime and its glorious landscapes will hold many surprises for you.
A city close to several metropolises
One of the great advantages of La Rochelle is that it is a medium-sized city close to several metropolises. Not more than 3 hours is needed to reach one of the major surrounding cities. Attracted to the capital and its iconic Eiffel Tower? 2 hours and 40 minutes on the high-speed train will get you fully immersed in the Parisian charm and atmosphere. Interested in visiting Tours and the magnificent castles of the Loire Valley? Only 148 miles separate La Rochelle from Tours, roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes’ drive, which is almost the same distance between La Rochelle and Rennes, home to the famous Museum of Brittany.
For slightly closer destinations, Nantes and Bordeaux are ideal cities. They are accessible by car in less than 2 hours and make for great weekend getaways outside of La Rochelle!
An airport with many destinations
La Rochelle Ile de Ré airport offers a decent amount of domestic and international flights. Therefore, it will only take you a few hours to reach the biggest cities in France such as Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Ajaccio or even Paris!
Direct international flights are also available if you wish to discover other European countries. You can savor a delicious bowl of fries in Brussels, drink tea in one of the English cities accessible via La Rochelle (Leeds, London, Bristol and Manchester), take a dip in Porto, feast on chocolate in Geneva and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. An itinerary to try out immediately!
Thanks to its countless activities, you will never get bored in La Rochelle. Close to the country’s biggest cities, this pretty corner of Charente-Maritime is the perfect place to spend a few months (or more !) in France. And if you wish to explore further territories, many flights will take you to several European countries in no time. Therefore, La Rochelle is a city that you can explore with pleasure and curiosity, without ever getting tired of it!
