A weekend in La Rochelle, between city life and sea air

👉 A stroll around the Old Port

We start with the Vieux-Port de Plaisance, "the place to be". It's here that the people of La Rochelle stroll and enjoy the warm atmosphere, between the guinguettes and the market. The Old Port was built in the Middle Ages and is framed by the famous towers. These three guardians of the rebellious city are the Tour Saint Nicolas, the Tour de la Chaîne and the Tour de la Lanterne.

In the morning, take the opportunity to visit the covered market, which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. It's a lively place where you can discover the flavours and aromas of fresh produce. This charming wrought-iron, glass and brick building was erected between 1834 and 1836 on the Place de la Grande-Boucherie.

👉 Tour of the historic centre of La Rochelle

Once you've worked up an appetite strolling along the market aisles, it's time to head to the district, which is home to a number of restaurants, for a gourmet lunch in this very pleasant pedestrian street, away from the hustle and bustle of the quayside.

La Fleur de Sel is one of the best, offering simple but delicious dishes prepared with local produce. For those with a bigger budget, Les Flots offers gourmet seafood cuisine in a pleasant, intimate setting.

We start the afternoon with a leisurely stroll through the Gabut district, with its small, colourful wooden houses that give it the air of a fishing village. For those who don't like crowds, this area is a little less touristy than the old port.

To round off the day, why not have a drink at Le France 1, a very pleasant bar on the upper deck of the ship of the same name. It's the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the city's harbour.

👉 A bike ride with the wind in your hair

Take advantage of La Rochelle's 230km of cycle routes to discover the city by bike. It's the perfect opportunity to take your time and explore the narrow streets that are often inaccessible by car. For the record, La Rochelle was the first town in France to introduce self-service bicycles back in 1976.

For a change of scenery, there's no need to travel miles and miles. Just cycle to the Minimes beach. Small but popular, this beach offers a range of water-based activities: kayaking, stand-up paddle, sailing, fishing and kite-flying. From the Plage des Minimes, you can take the opportunity to see the Bout du Monde lighthouse, an exact replica of the one in Patagonia.

👉 Meet Père Fouras

If seeing the ocean isn't enough, you can always "take to the sea" and set sail for Fort Boyard, the world-famous maritime fortress, thanks to the eponymous TV game show.

This not-to-be-missed outing is accessible by setting sail on one of the town's cruise boats. You will then find yourself between the islands of Aix and Oléron, with the Fort rising up in the centre. For even more thrills, you can also take a helicopter flight.

Back on terra firma, it's time to round off this wonderful weekend with a memorable dinner in one of the city's many restaurants. The Michelin-starred Christopher Coutanceau restaurant is a sure bet.