The short version
- TGVs from Paris Montparnasse reach La Rochelle in 2 hours 33 minutes at the fastest, with 15 trains a day, several of them direct. OUIGO fares start at €13.
- The ticket for the harbor towers covers the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne, €9.50, or €8 with a TGV INOUI or Intercités ticket less than 5 days old.
- The Tour Saint-Nicolas is closed for works, and a longer restoration of its base starts in 2027.
- The aquarium faces the Vieux-Port and opens every day of the year. Adults pay €18.50; book a timed ticket online to be sure of getting in.
- Bus 150 runs from La Rochelle station to all ten villages on Île de Ré, €2.50 a ride, with tickets from the driver.
- From October to March, the sea bus to Les Minimes runs only on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
What to see
Start at the Vieux-Port. Climb the Tour de la Chaîne at the harbor mouth and the Tour de la Lanterne along the old wall; the Tour Saint-Nicolas across the water is closed. The towers are free for everyone on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December.
Spend an hour and a half to two hours at the aquarium on the quay, then walk the arcaded streets of the old town to the Marché central, the covered market, open every morning.
Visit the Musée maritime, a fleet of nine historic boats moored in the harbor, three of which you can go aboard. It is closed on Monday. Then take the sea bus across to the Les Minimes marina, about 20 minutes, €3.
Cross to Île de Ré on the bridge, almost 3 kilometers long and opened in 1988. The island is flat, with 138 kilometers of bike paths, and bikes cross the bridge free.
On the island, see Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the main town, inside star-shaped walls built to Vauban’s plans and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, with restaurants around its harbor. Ride on to the Phare des Baleines at the northern tip, first lit in 1854, and climb to its gallery.
Getting there and around
Trains leave from Paris Montparnasse: TGV INOUI, OUIGO and some Intercités routes. There are no flights from Paris to La Rochelle airport.
In La Rochelle, you walk. Yélo self-service bikes cost €1 for the first 30 minutes, and a city bus ticket is €1.50 from the driver. The little passeur ferry crosses the harbor mouth in 3 minutes for €1.50.
The La Rochelle Océan Pass, €48 for 48 hours, covers the buses, the sea bus, regional trains and coaches, the towers, the Musée maritime and a boat trip around Fort Boyard. Show your train ticket at the tourist office for 10% off.
Bus 150 to Île de Ré leaves from La Rochelle station, Place de Verdun and the airport; no booking. It carries up to 5 bikes free, if you book by 17:00 the day before. On the island, the Respi’Ré village shuttles are free.
Drivers pay a bridge toll toward the island only: €4 from November 15 to March 1, up to €16 in summer. Cyclists and pedestrians cross free.
When to go
July is the sunniest month, with an average high of about 25°C. The Francofolies music festival fills the town from July 10 to 14, 2027.
October to January is the wettest stretch, and January averages a high of about 10°C.
Off season brings a cheaper bridge toll from November 15 and free towers on the first Sunday of the month, but the sea bus runs only on weekends and holidays, and the extra summer buses to Île de Ré stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Paris to La Rochelle?
Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse, 2 hours 33 minutes at the fastest. OUIGO fares start at €13 one way.
How do you get to Île de Ré without a car?
Take bus 150 from La Rochelle station, €2.50 a ride, no booking needed. It stops in all ten villages. Or ride a bike across the bridge, which is free for cyclists.
Can you climb the towers of La Rochelle?
Yes, the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne, €9.50 for both and free under 18. The Tour Saint-Nicolas is closed for works and will stay closed through a restoration that starts in 2027.
What should I eat in La Rochelle?
Buy oysters at the Marché central and eat them with a glass of white wine. Order mouclade, mussels in a creamy, curry-spiced sauce, and try Pineau des Charentes, the local aperitif of grape juice and cognac.
Is there a tour I can add?
Yes, inland in Cognac country. Our Cognac day tour from Paris takes you behind the scenes at Hennessy, Martell or Rémy Martin, with cellar visits and tastings, eight guests at most, every day of the year except Christmas, New Year’s Day and Bastille Day.
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