La Rochelle is a prime holiday destination on France's Atlantic coast. The romance of the Vieux Port and its medieval towers, along with the city's picturesque streets around the Porte de la Grosse Horloge, make for an endlessly fascinating cityscape. The restaurants here are amongst the best in France with seafood being a regular speciality.
Hiring a car in La Rochelle will allow you to access some of the better beaches which lie just outside of town. It will also enable you to explore the wider Poitou-Charentes area and travel to other famous landmarks in the region, whether inland or further along the coast.
The medieval towers of the Vieux Port are where tourists tend to mass, along with the intricate streets which surround the Porte de la Grosse Horloge. Travel to Rue St-Jean du Pérot for some of the best restaurants in town, and when the city gets too much, head for the tranquillity of Parc Charruyer. As far as attractions go, the Aquarium La Rochelle is essential. It's one of the largest aquariums in Europe and with over 12,000 different species, it's sure to be a fun day out for all of the family.
The Plage des Minimes is a popular beach if you want to stay in the city, but car rental from La Rochelle Railway Station gives you access to some of the best beaches on the Atlantic coast; Plage de Chatelaillon, just off the D137/N137, is just one of many.
