La Rochelle on foot: essentials with unsuspected treasures!

Head north-west of Charente-Maritime to discover La Rochelle facing the ocean! Rich in an exceptional heritage linked to its maritime past, La Rochelle is a city on a human scale that can easily be visited on foot in a day or a weekend. From the historic center to the port of Les Minimes, a stroll along the pedestrian streets is the best way to soak up the culture of this city ranked at the top of the most pleasant French cities to live in. A special atmosphere floats over the old port, the lively squares and the charming districts. From the towers to the aquarium, passing by the beaches and the museums, admire the white city! Here is an ideal walking route for a La Rochelle getaway in all seasons.

Take a breath of fresh air at Charruyer Park and Concurrence Beach

Faced with the effervescence of the city, we would almost tend to forget that it is possible to find peace, surrounded by nature, a few minutes walk from the center of La Rochelle. Created at the end of the 19th century and crossed by two small streams, Charruyer Park is a green setting that invites you to relax. This is the starting point for our walk which leads to the Promenade du Mail and the small Concurrence beach.

Visit the towers of La Rochelle

At the exit of the park, the silhouettes of the famous towers of La Rochelle take shape. Classified as historic monuments since 1879, the three towers - the Saint-Nicolas tower, the Chain tower and the Lantern tower - have been the city's guardians since the 14th century. Real fortifications, their role was to defend maritime access to the city and to regulate the passage of merchant ships entering the port. The tallest, the Lantern Tower, culminates at 75 meters. It serves both as a lighthouse and a landmark for sailors who sail on the coast and between the inlets. The Tour Saint Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaîne were once connected by a large chain prohibiting the entry of boats. Places of residence, then prison… Nothing like a visit to understand the history of these towers since medieval times! Climb to the summits, contemplate the panoramic views and discover the graffiti of the captive sailors engraved in the stone. A must-see historical attraction!

Stroll along Rue Saint Jean du Pérot and the Old Port of La Rochelle

Take the pedestrian street just behind the Towers to reach the Old Port. Rue Saint Jean du Pérot, lined with bars and restaurants, is a lively street that reflects the festive and warm character of the city. At the end of the street, the master ice cream maker Ernest has been perpetuating the French ice cream tradition for more than 20 years with more than 100 flavors offered for sale. An institution in La Rochelle!

Here we are on the Cours des Dames which runs along the Old Port. Head for the Porte de la Grosse Horloge, another emblematic historic monument of La Rochelle! Built in the 14th century to defend the city in the event of an attack by the port, it is surmounted by a bell tower in the Gothic style. You have to take it to access the old town and the arcades. Treasure of the medieval heritage, these stone arches once protected the stalls of traders from bad weather. Today, they offer pedestrians a sheltered and unusual passage!

The door of the Big Clock

Arcades

The lively quays of La Rochelle

Visit Saint Louis Cathedral and the Museums of La Rochelle

At the end of rue du Palais, the Saint-Louis cathedral sits enthroned in the heart of Place de Verdun. Classified as Historic Monuments, it was built from 1742 and presents a classical architecture. Inside, many ex-votos and paintings decorate the walls of the side chapels. Let's continue in the old town towards the market. This district has several fascinating museums : the Natural History Museum presents more than 10,000 objects from naturalist and ethnographic collections, the Museum of Fine Arts unveils a collection of European paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, the Museum of New -Monde illustrates the historical relations of France with the West Indies and the Americas.

Savor local specialties at the Halles de la Rochelle market

In the heart of the historic center, head to the La Rochelle market to stock up on fresh produce and taste a few oysters on the go! Under this magnificent building constructed of wrought iron, glass and bricks, dating from the 19th century, the colorful stalls offer a warm setting conducive to strolling. It is an essential place to discover the riches of the La Rochelle and Charente-Maritime region as well as its passionate producers. All around the market, cafes, restaurants and gourmet shops contribute to the authentic atmosphere that reigns here. For shopping, rue des Merciers, rue Thiers and rue Amelot will make you happy!

Have a drink on the Faubourg Saint-Nicolas

In the old quarter of sailors and fishermen, we cross the Faubourg Saint Nicolas lined with restaurants, cafes, thrift stores, art galleries and creative boutiques. The perfect place to cool off with a drink! On Saturday and Thursday, a flea market brings the streets to life.

Stroll through the Gabut district

The Gabut district and its colorful wooden houses connects the historic city center to the Minimes district. In this former fishing district inspired by Scandinavian architecture, walk along the quai du Gabut lined with café and restaurant terraces and the quai Georges Simenon which overlooks the basin of yachts and the basin of Trawlers. Don't miss the frescoes and street art of the Gabut wasteland, a 5,000 m² space for artistic expression at the foot of the Saint-Nicolas tower and the Phare Rouge in La Rochelle.

Explore the marine world at the La Rochelle Aquarium

Facing the Old Port, the Aquarium of La Rochelle is the first tourist site in Charente Maritime: it is home to more than 12,000 species of aquatic animals and enjoys an international reputation. During a visit, dive into the heart of the oceans and let yourself be surprised by the biodiversity of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Tropics. A few hours of wonder await young and old!

Visit the Maritime Museum

Continuing along the quay, you can see the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle with several ships afloat and trawlers on display. A fascinating museum to discover the maritime history of La Rochelle!

Admire the sunset over the port of Les Minimes

About fifteen minutes on foot separates us from the last stage of our walk: the Port des Minimes. The 1st marina on the Atlantic coast welcomes more than 5000 boats and is one of the popular places to watch the sunset!

To return to the Old Port, take the electro-solar sea bus, a one-of-a-kind boat that serves as a shuttle between the two ports. It will drop you off at the pontoon in front of the Tour de la Chaine in 20 minutes. The opportunity to enjoy unprecedented views of La Rochelle from the ocean!

Enjoy a mini cruise from the Old Port to the Port des Minimes in an electro-sun sea bus!

Article and photos prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Guide Charente Maritime

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