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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Dijon?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dijon? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Dijon

Dijon is a relaxing, historical, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Dijon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Dijon. While Dijon is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Dijon attracts visitors for its big city activities and impressive beauty. Dijon is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is La Rochelle different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Dijon specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Both La Rochelle and Dijon 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.

Dijon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its beaches. However, Dijon 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.

Dijon is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is terrific for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dijon 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.

Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Dijon?

If you're looking to go shopping, La Rochelle and Dijon both offer plenty of nice 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 Dijon to go shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Families?

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

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.

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is terrific for romance. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Dijon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Dijon 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.

Dijon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon Better for Students?

For students, both La Rochelle and Dijon are nice places to visit.

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.

Dijon is a good coastal town to visit for students. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

La Rochelle and Dijon both offer nice 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.

Dijon has a few public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is La Rochelle or Dijon a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Dijon?

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

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

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the culinary city of Dijon. 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 Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Dijon. 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 Dijon?

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The laid-back city of Dijon 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 Dijon?

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and La Rochelle during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Dijon this time of year.

In July, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 20°C (67°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. In the summer, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Dijon. 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 Dijon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

La Rochelle is a little warmer than Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dijon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Dijon. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dijon can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, La Rochelle is much warmer than Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Rochelle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

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

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Dijon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, La Rochelle is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 11°C (52°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Dijon and La Rochelle