Unlock The World
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com
Unlock The World
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com
Your New Life In La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle, France boasts the third highest quality of life in France.
La Rochelle is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department on France’s west coast, bordered to the west by the Bay of Biscay, part of the Atlantic Ocean shared with Spain.
Its port, La Pallice, is the only deep-water port on the French Atlantic coast, protected by Île de Ré to the north and Île d’Oléron to the south.
This “doorway to the ocean” is the reason for the city’s longstanding commercial seafaring tradition, and it’s still ranked the sixth most important port in France today.
Certainly, the old port (Vieux-Port) is the heart of contemporary La Rochelle, and it owes its architecture to this period of affluence.
To come into the small protected harbor by sea, you pass two 14th-century towers, the larger, Saint-Nicolas Tower, acted as a fortress, and the smaller, Chain Tower, allowed a massive chain to be drawn up between the two to keep out unwanted visitors.
The third tower that dominates the skyline from the water is Lantern Tower, the former lighthouse.
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today 2025
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
The cost of living in La Rochelle is moderate at between $2,500 and $3,000 per month… but keep in mind, this is a top-tier city that was rated the third-best in France for quality of life.
It’s a coastal city with mild weather, meaning you’ll always be close to the sea…
Rent, variable by location and property size, ranges from $850 to $1,600 per month. Dining out at French restaurants serving fresh seafood can run you $40 to $75 for two. Groceries, including fresh produce, are fantastically affordable.
Two things that will come cheaper in France than the U.S. or Canada are transportation and health care. Both are well-organized with solid infrastructure and come at almost negligible costs.
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | – | HOA fees are not typical in apartments in Paris. |
| HOA Fees | €83 to €208 | Annual charges range from about €900 to €2,500 euros for an apartment. |
| Property Taxes | – | |
| Transportation | €31 | Unlimited bus use for the month is €29.16; add another €1.60 euros per month for unlimited bike usage. |
| Gas | – | |
| Electricity | €90 | Including reasonable air conditioning use. |
| Water | – | |
| Cell Phone | €15 | With Free Mobile; unlimited calls and texts, 5G, no roaming charges in Europe. |
| Internet | €23 to €35 | Fiberoptic cable, 140 channels, Ultra HD4K. Also comes with home phone line. |
| Cable TV | – | Included in internet fee. |
| Household Help | €120 to €216 | For two hours per week; €15 per hour paying cash, €27 per hour paying through a professional service. |
| Entertainment | €690 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €560 (€70 per meal for two). Monthly cost for drinks twice a week: €96 (€6 for glass of wine). Movie theatre trip twice a month: €34 (€8.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | €500 | Basic items for a couple; meat from butcher, seafood fresh from the fishmonger, and local produce. |
| Gym Membership | €42.50 | |
| Medical Appointment | €25 | Consultation with general practitioner. |
| TOTAL | €1,619.50 to €1,852.50 |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €1,500 | In the center of town or nearby; for a one- or two-bedroom apartment of at least 75 square meters. |
| Transportation | €31 | Unlimited bus use for the month is €29.16; add another €1.60 euros per month for unlimited bike usage. |
| Gas | – | |
| Electricity | €90 | Including reasonable air conditioning use. |
| Water | – | |
| Cell Phone | €15 | With Free Mobile; unlimited calls and texts, 5G, no roaming charges in Europe. |
| Internet | €23 to €35 | Fiberoptic cable, 140 channels, Ultra HD4K. Also comes with home phone line. |
| Cable TV | – | Included in internet fee. |
| Household Help | €120 to €216 | For two hours per week; €15 per hour paying cash, €27 per hour paying through a professional service. |
| Entertainment | €690 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €560 (€70 per meal for two). Monthly cost for drinks twice a week: €96 (€6 for glass of wine). Movie theatre trip twice a month: €34 (€8.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | €500 | Basic items for a couple; meat from butcher, seafood fresh from the fishmonger, and local produce. |
| Gym Membership | €42.50 | |
| Medical Appointment | €25 | Consultation with general practitioner. |
| TOTAL | €3,036.50 to €3,144.50 |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €500 | For a studio or one-bedroom apartment of 25 square meters or less. |
| Transportation | €20 | This would require mostly walking and biking, with sparing use of buses. For unlimited biking, you pay only 1.60 euros a month; you can get a bundle of 10 bus tickets for 11 euros (no expiration). |
| Gas | – | Gas for your car. |
| Electricity | €75 | Lower costs due to smaller space. |
| Water | – | |
| Cell Phone | €15 | With Free Mobile; unlimited calls and texts, 5G, no roaming charges in Europe. |
| Internet | – | |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Entertainment | €498 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €400 (€50 per meal for two). Monthly cost for drinks twice a week: €64 (€4 per drink during happy hour). Movie theatre trip twice a month: €34 (€8.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | €300 | Buying at local markets and in bulk when possible. |
| TOTAL | €1,408 |
La Rochelle offers plenty to do outdoors and around the sea.
Between the beaches, boating, fishing, and whatever else you like to do by the water, the only limit is your imagination. You can even surf here.
A main draw for tourists and residents are the beaches.
From the Vieux-Port, Plage de la Concurrence is mere minutes’ walk, Plage de Minimes about 30 minutes, and countless others are within biking or driving distance.
Three of the beaches are supervised. Also, some are labeled for “Accessibilité PMR” or as “espace aménagé,” indicating their handicap access. This could mean that the space itself has been made accessible or there are various types of all-terrain personal vehicles available.
No matter the time of year, the beaches are always in use. They’re packed end to end at the height of tourist season (July and August) but, otherwise, it’s just locals enjoying the surf. If it’s too cold for a dip, the coast is the perfect spot for a stroll.
Golf isn’t a common pastime in France, yet there are several courses in the area. An 18-hole course is just 20 minutes from town, and there are several 9-hole courses, driving ranges, and academies within an hour.
The local cultural center, Carré Amelot, offers a full calendar of events including dance, music, art exhibitions, educational programs, and more throughout the year.
For instance, art expos and installations can be found throughout the city, both in traditional galleries but also in experimental spaces like old churches or within the ruins of the city walls.
The surrounding countryside is full of history, vineyards, and towns worth a visit, including Cognac and Pineau, famous for their namesake wines.
The climate in La Rochell is oceanic with mild year-round weather due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.
La Rochelle summers are fairly warm, but the area rarely gets extreme temperatures in either direction.
Thanks to the temperate climate, Mediterranean-type vegetation thrives alongside more continental and oceanic types of foliage, making the area and its islands remarkably green no matter the time of year.
On the other hand, it can get nippy here, and the area does get a winter. I was told that it can often be windy—not surprising for a seaside town—and that when the wind chill sets in, it’s not nearly as comfortable to be outside.
When it comes to visiting, there’s really no bad time of year. The warmest months are July and August, but I’d actually recommend against coming then, as it’s the height of the tourist season.
The best seasons to visit la Rochelle are spring and autumn. For instance, there’s a noticeable lull during autumn and winter, which locals relish.
The beaches are empty, the perfect venues for long walks, and the streets and bike lanes are much less crowded.
During winter, it won’t be freezing cold, but dress appropriately—that means layers and waterproofs.
While La Rochelle only gets about 30 inches of rain per year, this is a waterfront area, so expect a sea mist and damp ground.
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today 2025
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
The most charming thing about life in La Rochelle is the quaint veneer painted over an entirely modern city. La Rochelle is a real city with plenty to see and do, but it’s got the feel of a small town.
With our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index just released, featuring 12 of the world’s best destinations and most enticing lifestyles—6 of...
If you moved to Europe thinking life here would be all cobblestone strolls, café mornings, and weekend city-hops, January is...
One part of culture shock I cannot get over, no matter how many years I’ve been in Greece, is the...
Merry Christmas… and Happy (early) New Year! Every December, the world chases good luck the way we chase a cork...
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
As seen in
Top Countries
Budgets
Affordable
Resources
Real Estate
Overseas Property Alert
How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
Buying Real Estate For Cashflow
Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans
Explore Our Latest Posts
Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…
Conferences
Live and Invest In Panama Conference
Live And Invest In Greece Workshop
Live And Invest In Portugal Conference
Contact Our Events Team:
Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
1 (888) 627 8834
From Outside North America:
1 (443) 599 1221
Working Hours
Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.
Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com
Store
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Free Report
FREE Report
The 12 Best Places to Retire in 2026
Simply sign up for our FREE daily Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Follow Us:
© 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.
RETIRE OVERSEAS AND
LIVE LIKE ROYALTY
Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our FREE report on the 12 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.
