Vieux-Port
The Old Port, guarded by the Saint-Nicolas and Chaîne towers, is the heart of the city, with café terraces and waterside walks.
Tickets →La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle: airports, things to do and where to stay
La Rochelle is an Atlantic port city famous for the medieval towers of its Old Port, its arcaded streets and its large marina. From here a bridge leads to the Île de Ré.
La Rochelle airports
From the airport to central La Rochelle
La Rochelle-Île de Ré airport is about 4 km from central La Rochelle.
Yélo Illico 1b / D9
City bus to central La Rochelle: line Illico 1b Monday to Saturday and D9 on Sundays and public holidays. €1.50 ticket on board.
Lignes 150 / 151 / 152 (Île de Ré)
Regional coaches to the Île de Ré. Line 150 (Saint-Martin-de-Ré and Les Portes-en-Ré) runs all year; lines 151 and 152 only in summer. €2.50 ticket.
Taxi
Taxi area next to the terminal. Booking a taxi or ride-hailing car before arrival is recommended. The centre is only a few kilometres away.
La Rochelle
Things to do in La Rochelle
Tour de la Lanterne
Former medieval lighthouse topped by a Gothic spire, with views over the harbour and the ocean.
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Aquarium La Rochelle
One of Europe's largest private aquariums, with thousands of sea creatures from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the tropics.
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Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Main town of the Île de Ré, with a fishing harbour and Vauban fortifications listed as a World Heritage Site. Reached via the bridge from La Rochelle.
Tickets →Frequently asked questions
Which airport serves La Rochelle?
La Rochelle is served by La Rochelle-Île de Ré (LRH).
How far is the airport from central La Rochelle?
La Rochelle-Île de Ré airport is about 4 km from central La Rochelle.
How do I get from the airport to central La Rochelle?
From La Rochelle-Île de Ré airport you can take Yélo Illico 1b / D9 (bus), Lignes 150 / 151 / 152 (Île de Ré) (bus), and Taxi. Pre-booked taxis and private transfers are also available.
What are the must-sees in La Rochelle?
Highlights of La Rochelle include Vieux-Port, Tour de la Lanterne, Aquarium La Rochelle, Hôtel de Ville, and Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Photo credits
- Vieux-Port: Pierre André, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tour de la Lanterne: Jebulon, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Aquarium La Rochelle: Aquarium La Rochelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Hôtel de Ville: Chris06, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré: User:Brice~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons