Festivals, concerts, quirky bars and unforgettable places, La Rochelle is a city for young people to explore with friends.
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
Check out the best places for a great time in La Rochelle:
Where to go out with friends
The must-see rue Saint-Jean du Pérot
If there’s a place not to be missed for a great evening out in La Rochelle, the rue Saint-Jean du Pérot is it. This charming, lively street is right in the city centre and attracts all the La Rochelle revellers. Bars and restaurants line this vast main road which runs along the length of the seafront. Devotees of wild nights out and of the La Rochelle lifestyle should not miss it.
Around the old harbour
In the area around the old port of La Rochelle, head to the la guignette bar in the neighbourhood of Saint Nicolas. This rustic bistro is a popular place for La Rochelle locals to party the night away in a vibrant setting. The place is just as it ever was, but the atmosphere is young and full of the party mood. A little further on, France 1 awaits you for a night out. Make no mistake, this boat is one of the most popular bars in La Rochelle.
La Rochelle on a budget
Visit La Rochelle at low cost
The City Pass offers access to a whole public transport network which encompasses not just La Rochelle but also the surrounding area. 18 towns in the conurbation are covered by this pass. Buses, cars and bicycles are accessible with this travel card in its daily format, which allows you to get around however you want to during your stay.
To go cycling with friends
What better way to explore this town right on the Atlantic coast than by bike? You can get around the little streets of the old town using “vélo yelo” bikes for about 1.30 euros an hour and make the most of La Rochelle’s pleasant climate while you’re on the move. A walk along the portside is a must!
A quirky tour of La Rochelle
Take a seat on board a limousine with your friends and make the most of La Rochelle as you never have before. Make the most of your holidays by playing the VIP for only about twenty euros per person. At extra cost, you get a bottle of champagne too.
Music in La Rochelle
Les Francofolies de la Rochelle
Les Francofolies de La Rochelle take place every summer. Home to a famous rock festival, La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast plays host to trendy bands which get the whole town rocking and breathe young life into it. All French rock stars have at one time or another played on this portside, where the action is. The bewitching Francofolies are an essential part of the French music scene.
The La Rochelle Concert Hall
Out of season you have to go to La Sirène, La Rochelle’s huge concert hall. Built in an unusual style by architects from the inimitable town of Nantes, it is reminiscent of a boat with large sails. With its surface area spanning some 3,000 square metres, La Sirène has remarkable acoustics conducive to unforgettable concerts where melodies soar, swell and fall back down onto the thrilled crowd. Just magic!
La Sirène
111 Boulevard Emile Delmas, 17000 La Rochelle
Tel: 05 46 56 46 62