Old Port La Rochelle © Destination Côte Atlantique - Farid Maklouf
Do you have 48 hours, 3 days or even a week to spare? Drop your bags in La Rochelle, ditch the car, grab your La Rochelle Ocean Pass and let yourself be carried away. With this pass in your pocket, the doors of museums, historic monuments, guided walks, river cruises and TER (regional express train) escapes are open to you. Whether you're after oysters at the market, catamaran trips or TER excursions to Rochefort, Saintes or Niort, this pass is clearly the best way to explore the city and its surroundings without breaking the bank.
Here's our programme for discovering La Rochelle and the Atlantic without missing a thing, in 48h, 72h or 7-day slow tourism mode.
48 hours in La Rochelle: iodine condensed
As soon as you arrive, head for the Old Port. The medieval towers, ancient cobblestones, arcades and swaying sailboats immediately set the mood. We start with a climb up the Towers of La Rochelle, included in the pass. From up there, the view of the city and the ocean is breathtaking.
At lunchtime, take a stroll through the central market, sample some fresh oysters on the go and sit down at a nearby table for a tasty local menu in the lively atmosphere of the Halles.
La Rochelle Central Market © Les Conteurs
In the afternoon, get lost in the narrow streets of the town centre and push open the door of the Musée du Nouveau Monde, nestled in a former town house, to understand the link between La Rochelle and the Americas. At the end of the day, take the sea bus to Les Minimes for a sunset stroll to the Bout du Monde lighthouse.
The next day, we opt for a sea trip to Fort Boyard and then, to keep with the maritime theme, in the afternoon we push open the door of the Musée Maritime, accessible by ferry boat from the Tour de la Chaîne. The former weather frigate France 1 awaits you for an unusual visit before a cool glass of aperitif on deck as the sun sets. Not bad for a weekend, eh?
La Rochelle Maritim Museum © Marion Mesnard
72 hours in La Rochelle: between city and seaside
We're taking the highlights of the 48h programme, and adding a great day out.
Head for Rochefort on the TER train (free with the pass). There are several options open to you: take a stroll on the transporter bridge, visit the Corderie Royale, or delve into the world of ancient trade at the Musée des Commerces d'Autrefois. For lunch, there's a good place to go: Vivre(s), a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Charente.
Corderie Royale de Rochefort © Steven Boutin - Office de Tourisme Rochefort Océan
On the way back to La Rochelle, take the TER to Châtelaillon-Plage for a swim in the aquatic centre or on the beach, a stroll through the Belle Époque villas, then dinner by the sea before catching the train back to the city.
Châtelaillon-Plage beach © Les Conteurs
7 days around La Rochelle: slow tourisme and beautiful escapes
If you've got a week, La Rochelle becomes your ideal base camp for exploring the entire Atlantic coast and its treasures. The 7-day La Rochelle Ocean Pass quickly pays for itself, turning every trip into an adventure.
After our 72-hour programme, we start the fourth day of our holiday with a cycling trip along the coast. Hire your bike (with a 30% discount thanks to the pass) and follow the Vélodyssée from Angoulins to Esnandes. Along the way, take a relaxing break on the sand at Aytré, sample some oysters or mussels at Marsilly and visit the Maison de la Baie du Marais Poitevin at Esnandes to find out all about mussel farming. The view from the roofs of the fortified church is spectacular.
Port du Loiron in Angoulins © Les Conteurs
If you want to immerse yourself in nature, hire a Yélomobile car (with a €10 discount thanks to the pass) and set off in the direction of the Marais Poitevin. In Coulon, capital of the Venise Verte, a boat trip is a must. Continue with a visit to the Maison du Marais Poitevin, included in the pass, and sit down by the water for a simple picnic.
Marais Poitevin boat trip © La Rochelle Tourisme et Evénements
Then on to Niort, easily accessible by TER train. Don't miss the covered market, voted the most beautiful in France, or the Donjon, an impressive medieval fortress turned museum.
To round off your holiday in style, there's nothing like a last day in La Rochelle. Early in the morning, soak up the art of living in La Rochelle as you sip your coffee on the quays of the Vieux Port before joining your guide to visit the superb Hôtel de Ville de La Rochelle. Then, if you want to relax, we invite you to take a stroll through the parks of La Rochelle before treating yourself to an ice-cream while daydreaming in front of the sea. And to bring it all full circle, why not spend one last evening on the Old Port, on a terrace, with a drink in hand and your eyes full of memories.
Hôtel de Ville La Rochelle © Marion Mesnard
Ready to explore La Rochelle without constraints?
Book your La Rochelle Ocean Pass now and make the most of your stay, its hidden treasures and its wide open spaces. One pass, dozens of experiences.