Travel to La Rochelle with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on La Rochelle with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to La Rochelle

La Rochelle is thought by some to be the most attractive and unspoilt seaside town in France. Tourists come here in droves for the beautiful beaches, historic waterfront architecture and traditional atmosphere.

Getting there

Nantes International Airport is the main point of entry for most international travellers; while La Rochelle-Laleu Airport is on the coast, four kilometres north of the city. If youre driving to La Rochelle, follow A10 south from Poitiers to exit Niort/St-Maixent, and then take N11 east to the coast and La Rochelle. Six to eight trains arrive from Bordeaux and Nantes daily (two hours), and there are five to seven daily high-speed TGV trains from Paris gare Montparnasse (three hours). Buses arrive in La Rochelle at gare Routière, on place de Verdun.

Information on La Rochelles key attractions

A main sight in La Rochelle is rue du Palais, which stretches from Vieux Port to place de Verdun. The street is lined with traditional buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. To the east are Musée du Nouveau Monde on rue des Merciers, and Musée des Beaux Arts on rue Gargoulleau. The busiest month here is July during the Festival International du Film de La Rochelle, which attracts a huge following of fans, press, actors and more. The town is also the site of the biggest showcasing of boats and yachts in Europe, Le Grand Pavois Salon Nautique; this seven-day event takes place in late September and the action is based in and around Port de Plaisance.

Out and about

The coast around La Rochelle and the nearby islands boast numerous safe, sandy beaches. In the cooler months, the area becomes quite pleasant, with serene misty seascapes and quaint fishing ports creating a relaxing, traditional atmosphere. Not too far from La Rochelle is the port of Bordeaux. The capital of Aquitaine and the fifth-largest French city, Bordeaux is nestled in one of the worlds most important wine-producing areas.

Leisure options

The old harbour area of Vieux Port, with its Gothic Porte de la Grosse Horloge and lovely quays, is a great place for a stroll. Walk along the tree-lined cours des Dames to the magnificent Tour de la Chaine, dating from the 14th century. Other ancient towers nearby include the Tour St Nicolas and Tour de la Lanterne. Charming cafés are plentiful.

Safety

Remain alert for potential hazards while travelling. Holidaymakers are more susceptible to pickpocketing, theft or loss of personal effects. Water sports, outdoor activities and driving place you at greater risk of having an accident. Language barriers and strange routines can also result in missed travel arrangements or problematic bookings. Taking out travel insurance for you and your family is recommended.

Weather in La Rochelle

La Rochelle is on the Atlantic coast and this influences the weather. The weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. The summers, though, can be hot and very sunny.

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