Family Encyclopedia >> Travel

What to do in La Rochelle? Selection of the best activities and leisure

La Rochelle is an emblematic city of Charente-Maritime, located on the Atlantic coast with its port and its towers from the Middle Ages. Facing the ocean with the islands of Ré and Oléron offshore, it offers beautiful getaways at sea to discover them.

You can also swim in La Rochelle, at Minimes beach to name only the largest. There are many sports, urban or "adventure" recreation, which one will you choose for your city tour

City tour by segway

In tourist activities and trends, you find the segway. It is a Segway operating on the principle of the driver's inclination. Ecological and economical , it is a fun way to discover the city of La Rochelle.

On this motorized machine, you follow the guide who takes you to see some remarkable sites 👀. Perhaps you will pass by the old port, the old town with the Saint-Louis cathedral and the gate of the Big Clock, the 19th century Halles or the town hall and its Gothic enclosure...

You will see many places that hide secrets of history. Also, by segway or on foot, visit the towers of the city, built in the Middle Ages and classified as Historic Monuments:the Lantern, Saint-Nicolas and Chain towers which act as the entrance gate.

Our advice:stop after the walk at the Bar André on the Old Port, a city institution, and enjoy some seafood!

Ride on the water

Coming to La Rochelle without setting sail is like coming to Paris for the first time and not seeing the Eiffel Tower!

By canoe or jet-ski

If you opt for an outing of a few hours and want to be an active participant in your activity, why not paddle a canoe on the canal or go on a jet-ski tour on the ocean.

Rowing to move forward or on the handlebars to make waves on a jet ski, the pleasure is different but the discovery is just as attractive. The green calm of the banks of the canal VERSUS the Atlantic Ocean and its coastline, you will enjoy this aquatic walk alone or in pairs .

What to do in La Rochelle? Selection of the best activities and leisure

By boat

If your desire for freedom is even stronger, embark on a boat! Catamaran, sailboat or speedboat, for a few hours or the whole weekend, you can discover Fort Boyard, the island of Ré, Aix or Oléron .

With a skipper to guide you or without if you have a boating license, here you are with your hair in the wind for a boat trip on the Atlantic . The most romantic can even treat themselves to an outing at sunset, before a candlelit dinner ashore.

Flight to the islands

In a slightly different register, you can observe these islands and sites from the height:from the sky of Charente-Maritime . During this first flight, you see the landscapes from a new angle and in a larger dimension.

By helicopter, airplane or microlight, the panoramic view is spectacular , so open your eyes wide and capture these beautiful moments in photos!

Île de Ré, Oléron, Aix and Fort Boyard mentioned above are amazing at altitude. The pilot on board the aircraft will comment on this flight and give you some anecdotes and stories about the sites overflown.

Discovering the aquarium

Now let's explore the oceans and seas! The La Rochelle aquarium is one of the largest private aquariums in Europe. It is therefore worth the detour, the time of a visit to the seabed of the world .

Jellyfish, fish, sharks, turtles … The hundreds of species that live in the aquarium offer you an aquatic spectacle. In the calm of the spaces, you observe their passages and perhaps you will even have some frights at the mere sight of some of them.

Don't worry, sharks and other carnivores won't hurt you. Young and old, all you have to do is get into the "Big Blue" atmosphere !

La Rochelle, urban dynamism and the Atlantic

La Rochelle is known for its proximity to the islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix, but also for its aquarium and its port surrounded by towers. The city of Charente-Maritime thus offers great activities for a diverse audience. On the ocean by boat, in the air or on land , you will appreciate the surrounding dynamism.

For the weekend, you can also treat yourself to a wellness break in a Spa hotel, or go discover an amusement park like the Puy du Fou or the Futuroscope at 1h30 from La Rochelle. Enjoy the joys of salty air and discoveries of all kinds!