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La RochelleWith a reputation for being France's ‘most attractive and unspoiled’ seaside town, La Rochelle is an area that draws many a visitor in pursuit of its fine beaches, magnificent historic architecture and charming French ambience. The town's greatest drawcard is its long stretching scenic road known as Rue du Palais, which begins at View Port and ends at Place de Verdun. Here visitors will find picturesque 17th and 18th century buildings, among which are the renowned Maison Henri II, Hotel de la Bourse, the Café de la Paix and of course the town's cathedral. Head west from here and you'll find more historically interesting buildings on Rue de l’Escale and Rue Fromentin. Head east and the sights include the Musée des Beaux Arts on Rue Gargoulleau and the Musée du Nouveau Monde on Rue des Merciers. Other places of interest include View Port, an old harbour area which is home to a scenic quay area plus the charming street of the big clock (Porte de la Grosse Horloge). The Saint Nicholas Tower (Tour St Nicolas) and the Lantern Tower (Tour de la Lanterne) in the area are also worthy of mention. Around the town centre, take a pleasant wander through the narrow streets off Rue St Sauveur and Rue St Nicolas and find places brimming with traditional French charm. When you feel like a change of pace, take a trip to Port des Minimes, an area home to a large number of fine restaurants, bars and cafés set in a modern marina. Alternatively, the beach at des Minimes has a spectacular aquarium and is a good place to relax and watch the sun go down. La Rochelle is on the doorstep of various scenic coastal areas which are ideal for holidaying families looking for pleasant sandy beaches and stunning scenery. These are easily reachable by car. Off season, the area seems considerably more traditional as the pace of authentic French life is left exposed by the absence of tourists. Nantes International Airport is the closest airport to La Rochelle and handles flights from a large number of international destinations. |