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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bordeaux? 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 laid-back, quaint, and charming 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.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than La Rochelle. Bordeaux is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bordeaux is better known for its shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is more popular for its museums, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Bordeaux is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Also, Bordeaux is famous for Cathédrale Saint-André. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is La Rochelle different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Both La Rochelle and Bordeaux offer first-rate 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.

Bordeaux has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Bordeaux. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the beache. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of La Rochelle is revered around the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Bordeaux is well-known for its shopping. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. 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.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Families?

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

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.

Bordeaux is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Bordeaux is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Bordeaux are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

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

Bordeaux is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is La Rochelle or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Bordeaux are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

In either La Rochelle or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than La Rochelle because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the romantic city of Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux?

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Bordeaux. This city 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 Bordeaux?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic city of Bordeaux. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bordeaux. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 comparing the travel costs between La Rochelle and Bordeaux, we can see that Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Bordeaux. The summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Bordeaux in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 14°C (58°F).

La Rochelle usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bordeaux in the Winter?

Both Bordeaux and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Rochelle usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Bordeaux. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Bordeaux in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bordeaux during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and La Rochelle