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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Caen?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Caen? 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

La Rochelle and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Caen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Caen. While Caen is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Caen attracts visitors for its big city activities. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is La Rochelle different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

La Rochelle is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both La Rochelle and Caen.

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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Caen?

La Rochelle is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Families?

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

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.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Caen are nice 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.

Caen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is La Rochelle or Caen Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen 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 Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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 Caen a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Rochelle and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Rochelle than in Caen. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the park-filled city of Caen. 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 Caen?

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The important city of Caen offers museums and nightlife. 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 Caen?

Because La Rochelle is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Caen. 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 Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Caen. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Caen. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Caen. The autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

La Rochelle is a little warmer than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Caen. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Caen. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. In the winter, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Caen. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and La Rochelle during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Caen. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and La Rochelle