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.

Things To Do In La Rochelle

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.

Weather In La Rochelle

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.