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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Calais?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Calais? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Calais are roughly the same size, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Calais is known for its big city activities. La Rochelle is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is La Rochelle different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both La Rochelle and Calais.

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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both La Rochelle and Calais are good choices.

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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Calais?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Calais both offer plenty of good 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 Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Families?

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

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.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

La Rochelle is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is La Rochelle or Calais Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Calais 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.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is La Rochelle or Calais a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Rochelle and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Rochelle than in Calais. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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 coastal city of Calais. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Calais?

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 undiscovered destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

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 coastal city of Calais offers shopping 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 Calais?

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 Calais. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rochelle and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Calais?

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

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 Calais in the Summer?

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

In the summer, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Rochelle in July average around 20°C (67°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Calais. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Calais. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais 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 Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 15°C (59°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Calais. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais 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. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. La Rochelle is much warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Calais. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Calais. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Calais in the Spring?

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

In the spring, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Rochelle in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Calais. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and La Rochelle