A Travel Price Comparison for France La Rochelle vs. Auxerre for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit La Rochelle or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit La Rochelle or Auxerre? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

La Rochelle and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is La Rochelle different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and La Rochelle. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in La Rochelle or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities La Rochelle has a few options to choose from. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for the beach. However, Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for hiking. However, Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either La Rochelle or Auxerre.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle has plenty to offer. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Rochelle is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Students?

La Rochelle is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit La Rochelle. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Rochelle and Auxerre both offer good public transit to get you around.

While La Rochelle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is La Rochelle or Auxerre a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

La Rochelle is a very walkable destination. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in La Rochelle or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in La Rochelle than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Auxerre. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Rochelle, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Rochelle that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in La Rochelle.

One day in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the under-rated town of Auxerre. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the under-rated destination of Auxerre. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The authentic town of Auxerre offers food and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in La Rochelle or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Auxerre. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between La Rochelle and Auxerre, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Rochelle Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Auxerre?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit La Rochelle or Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Auxerre in the Summer?

Both Auxerre and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Auxerre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In October, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Auxerre in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Auxerre. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. La Rochelle is much warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Auxerre. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

In the spring, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Auxerre. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and La Rochelle