A Travel Price Comparison for France La Rochelle vs. Beaune for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit La Rochelle or Beaune?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Beaune? 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 relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a quaint, vineyard-filled, and cultural town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Beaune?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Beaune, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beaune is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune 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 Beaune?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both La Rochelle and Beaune.

La Rochelle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Beaune specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

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

Both La Rochelle and Beaune offer amazing local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Beaune has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both La Rochelle and Beaune.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Beaune. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both La Rochelle and Beaune.

La Rochelle has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

The historic old town of Beaune is revered around the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beaune is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Beaune is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Beaune?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Beaune both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting La Rochelle. 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.

Many visitors go to Beaune to go shopping. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Families?

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

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.

Beaune is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Beaune make for a amazing place to visit.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Beaune has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

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

La Rochelle is a good destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit La Rochelle. 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.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a good destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

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

Beaune is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Beaune both offer notable 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.

Beaune has a few public transit options. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is La Rochelle or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its ease of walking around.

Beaune is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Beaune or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either La Rochelle or Beaune. In our opinion, La Rochelle has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in La Rochelle than Beaune. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Beaune. 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 Beaune 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 Beaune?

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vineyard-filled town of Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Beaune?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vineyard-filled destination of Beaune. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The vineyard-filled town of Beaune offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Beaune?

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Beaune. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rochelle and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is La Rochelle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Rochelle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Rochelle and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in La Rochelle.

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 Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Beaune?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Beaune in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Beaune. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Beaune in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaune. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Beaune. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Beaune. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Beaune averages at about 13°C (55°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Beaune. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Beaune in the Winter?

Both Beaune and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beaune for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beaune. In January, La Rochelle is generally much warmer than Beaune. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Beaune. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Beaune. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Beaune. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the spring for the small town charm.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Beaune in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Beaune. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beaune and La Rochelle