What to see and do in La Rochelle?

Visits, activities and transport included La Rochelle Océan Pass

Boat trips, visits to historic sites and museums, guided tours, leisure activities, unlimited transport, La Rochelle Ocean Pass gives you access to a complete range of things to do in La Rochelle and lets you discover the treasures of the surrounding area. The La Rochelle Ocean Pass is the best deal in La Rochelle for weekends and stays of 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and more.

Please check the opening and closing times of the sites you are interested in to avoid any disappointment. Some sites may be closed for renovation work. For a stay in La Rochelle between November and the end of January, we advise you to choose the La Rochelle Ocean Winter Pass, which includes sites open for at least one month between November and January.

Find all the offers on the map of La Rochelle and surrounding area

Historical sites

Tour of the Towers of La Rochelle

La Rochelle

Enjoy free visits to the three towers of La Rochelle: the Tour Saint-Nicolas, the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne. Situated at the entrance to the Old Port of La Rochelle, they are the emblems of La Rochelle and a must-see for all lover ...

Historical sites

Visit to the Corderie Royale

Rochefort

Take a self-guided tour of the incredible Corderie Royale, built in 1666 on the orders of King Louis XIV. From the land to the sea, from the hemp fields to the King's ships, come and meet the ropemakers and their work. Enter the workshops and dis ...

Historical sites

Visit to Nieul-sur-l'Autise Abbey

Rives-d'Autise

Temporary closure

Nieul-sur-l'Autise Abbey opens its doors to you for a visit on the borderline between the real and the virtual. The interactive tour, with touch screens and 3D reconstructions, reveals the secrets and history of the abbey, a rare and almost intac ...

Historical sites

Crossing the Transbordeur Bridge aboard the gondola and visit to the Maison du Transbordeur

Rochefort

Take a ride on the suspended gondola of the Pont Transbordeur, a listed building since 1976, and visit the Maison du Transbordeur, an interpretation center dedicated to the history of the bridge.  After four years of exceptional work, the Pont Tra ...

Historical sites

Visit Fort Liédot

Île d’Aix

Take a self-guided tour of Fort Liédot, a 19th-century fortification on the northeastern tip of Ile d'Aix. Armed with a tour guide, you'll discover the history of the fort and its occupants, its evolution and its architecture, as you wander t ...

Historical sites

Visit the Tour Mélusine

Vouvant

Climb the Tour Mélusine, the last vestige of the Lusignan fortified castle. From its 36-metre height, it offers an exceptional panoramic view of the medieval town of Vouvant, the river La Mère and the largest forest in the Vendée (Mervent-Vouvant).  ...

Historical sites

Visit to Château de Buzay

La Jarne

From the entrance hall to the king's bedroom, from the summer lounge to the reception room and the dining room, take a self-guided tour of the interior of Château de Buzay. Your entrance ticket also gives you free access to the park gardens.

Historical sites

Visit to Fort Louvois

Bourcefranc-le-Chapus

At your own pace and on your own, visit Fort Louvois and discover the history of this jewel of 17th century military architecture. From the ramparts to the powder magazine and the food hall, not forgetting the panoramic view over the Coureau d'Ol ...

Historical sites

Visit to Maillezais Abbey

Maillezais

Temporary closure

Discover Maillezais Abbey, a thousand-year-old site in the heart of the Marais Poitevin and a treasure trove of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Take an interactive tour using virtual reality to relive the golden age of the monastery  ...

Historical sites

Visit to the Whale Lighthouse

Saint-Clément-des-Baleines

Climb to the top of the Phare des Baleines, one of the highest lighthouses in France at 60 metres. Climb its 257 steps and enjoy an exceptional view of the island and the ocean. At the foot of the old tower, you can visit a museum dedicated to lighth ...