Villas in La Rochelle

Villas in the city centre

For a comfortable stay in La Rochelle, you can stay in a beautiful villa in the historic city centre, the Vieille Ville, and still be close to the main beaches. Enjoy fantastic sea views from the balcony of your private villa in La Rochelle or wake up to the historic surroundings of the city. La Rochelle welcomes all visitors and provides excellent accommodation. Around the Vieux Port, the villas feature upgraded amenities and excellent views.

Charming villas in a medieval setting

The medieval atmosphere of the city is still present in the architecture of its buildings and villas. Explore the elegant and distinctive limestone facades decorated with Renaissance elements and half-timbered properties that will make your stay unforgettable. As a coastal destination, it remains the seafaring reminder of its maritime past, especially those slate tiles protecting the houses from being eroded by the sea-salted breeze. Some of the features of the villas in La Rochelle, include:

• Spacious bedrooms for families with children and groups of friends
• Swimming pool
• Cosy lounges
• Lovely private gardens

La Rochelle for history buffs

La Rochelle is a historic gateway to the Atlantic and a must-visit for history lovers. If you have a villa in Ile de Re, take the thirty minutes drive to explore the history of the city. This former port city has been important since the Middle Ages and remains France's largest yachting marina. The old ramparts were destroyed, and now you can admire the great lighthouse tower, the two big towers guarding the Vieux Port and the city walls amongst them. Despite being a modern city, La Rochelle still retains its historical past. In the Old Town, there are interesting museums like La Rochelle Maritime Museum, a museum of automata with small-scale models and also "The Bunker" in the centre of the city, a WWII museum. Around the narrow streets, you can admire the passageways with beautiful arches and the fantastic Town Hall, one of the oldest in France.

La Rochelle for foodies

Food in La Rochelle is one of the best features of this lovely holiday destination. Ensure you book a villa in La Rochelle to experience the culinary culture at your pace. The area's gastronomy follows traditional and ancient recipes from the Middle Ages. Most dishes are made with local fish, fresh seafood and delicacies like oysters. If you are a fan of seafood, you can find a holiday letting in La Palmyre and enjoy various kinds of seafood before driving to La Rochelle. If you fancy a heavier meal, young goat meat will raise your taste buds. Try the homemade puddings paired with delicious creamy butter or some cheese and yoghurt for a sweet treat. Experience a culinary boom in your mouth.

1. The fantastic “Vieux Port”
2. Visit the Lantern Tower
3. Admire the Porte de la Grosse-Horloge
4. Minimes Beach, calm by the sea
5. Visit the Ile de Ré
6. A fantastic Vieille Ville (Old Town)
7. A pleasant walk around Parc Charruyer

1. The fantastic “Vieux Port”

This stunning port is one of the most beautiful ones in France because of the two towers guarding it. These two towers, Saint Nicholas and Tour de la Chaîne, have been used as the backdrop of many artworks. At sunset, you can enjoy a nice meal with views from the quayside restaurants while admiring the lit towers and their reflection on the water. A beautiful show for your eyes before you return to your luxurious villa in La Rochelle.

2. Visit the Lantern Tower

This iconic tower was used for different purposes during the Middle Ages. It was first a watching tower, then a lighthouse and finally, a prison for priests and other prisoners from the Vendée region. This tower is topped with a large steeple and a stone lantern. The walls are covered with graffiti by prisoners and protected by glass. On the second level, you can get fabulous views of the ocean, the port and the city from the projecting balcony. Visitors with villas in Poitou Charentes usually make the trip to enjoy the history of the area.

3. Admire the Porte de la Grosse-Horloge

Porte de la Grosse-Horloge is a remaining testimony of the city’s history. This magnificent access into town becomes a night show when the lights are on, revealing the majesty and glory of the ancient walls. Stroll around the area at night time and admire the magnificent views. If you have a holiday rental in Royan, it takes less than thirty minutes to get to La Rochelle and experience the history of Porte de la Grosse.

4. Minimes Beach, calm by the sea

Get a villa for rent in La Rochelle and spend a fantastic day walking along the beach, basking in the sun and relaxing in a peaceful stretch of sand. Nestled between the marina and the tip of Minimes, this beach has the basic facilities during the summer to enjoy a fantastic day. Water sports lovers will be delighted too, as there is an exclusive area to practise windsurfing, sailing, surfing and jet skiing behind the dike and the port.

5. Visit the Ile de Ré

Ile de Ré is a beautiful island to spend a day relaxing. If you have a family-friendly villa in La Rochelle, you can leave early for Ile de Re to spend the day near the ocean. There are beautiful and picture-perfect beaches to enjoy with the family or alone. Not to mention the fantastic walking paths to explore and keep active and a UNESCO World Heritage Site capital, Saint-Martin-de-Ré. After a long day, enjoy a nice meal with fresh fish and produce from the area.

6. A fantastic Vieille Ville (Old Town)

Brimming with old-world ambience, the Vieille Ville of La Rochelle invites you to stroll along its streets lined with Renaissance buildings and half-timbered medieval houses that will take you back in time. Admire the Town Hall, Maison de Henry II and browse the many boutiques in Grand Rues des Merciers (Street of the Haberdashers). Continue your tour around the old part of the city and visit the Palais de Justice (Law Courts), the Bourse (Stock Exchange).

7. A pleasant walk around Parc Charruyer

Parc Charruyer is a peaceful park to spend a morning or afternoon in this unspoiled nature site, admiring the variety of trees and flowers and the Hibiscus Garden. Follow the path that runs for about 2 miles and cross the bridges over the small river. If you enjoy the walk, you can find another green space on the seafront named Allée du Mail. It is a large lawn that has been used to play Mail, which is the French equivalent of croquet.