Located at the edge of the Atlantic, around 2 hours from Bordeaux, La Rochelle is a very attractive and prominent coastal city in France. This is in part due to the rich cultural and architectural heritage, as well as its scenic landscapes, port and pleasant quality of life. It is a popular destination for tourists, and also an industrious maritime trading centre. This city is very lively with cultural events such the annual International Film Festival, as well as festivals and fetes scheduled throughout the year.
La Rochelle is the capital city of the Charentes Maritime, with a thriving port guarded by iconic towers, Tour de la Chaine and Tour Saint Nicolas, and many local festivals and events drawing in visitors throughout the year. The maritime museum and large aquarium are fascinating and always a hit with the children, as is the audiovisual theme park, Futurescope, located in Poitiers and the Palmyre Zoo. The city of Poitiers is worth exploring, with its many churches including the Baptistere Saint-Jean, which is claimed to be the oldest Christian building in all of Western Europe. Marais Poitevin is the second largest wetland in France and affectionately known as ‘The Green Venice”. The picturesque canals, quaint footbridges and adorable cottages are just some of the attractions in this little village. You could take a day trip and visit Cognac, where you can tour some of the most famous Cognac brand distilleries such as Remy Martin and Hennessy. The vineyards and riverside villages are truly beautiful and worth a bit of tie to explore. Visiting the islands of Il de Re and Il d’Oleron make for a note-worthy day trip as you can explore the various villages on foot or by bicycle and sample the delicious local delicacies such as fresh seafood and home-grown mussels.
La Rochelle has its own international airport and TGV train station, allowing for ease of travelling when exploring the area and its surrounds.
