A Travel Price Comparison for France La Rochelle vs. Giverny for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit La Rochelle or Giverny?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Giverny? 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Giverny

Giverny is a picturesque, peaceful, and serene town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and museums.

La Rochelle and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Rochelle is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Giverny is more popular for its impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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 Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the beache. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for hiking. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Giverny?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Giverny 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle and Giverny 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.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is La Rochelle or Giverny a more walkable city?

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

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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable coastal town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in La Rochelle or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in La Rochelle than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Rochelle, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

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

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the picturesque town of Giverny. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Giverny?

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the picturesque destination of Giverny. 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 Giverny?

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The peaceful town of Giverny offers food 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 Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Giverny?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Giverny. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during summer. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, La Rochelle usually receives less rain than Giverny. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and La Rochelle during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Giverny. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in October than Giverny. La Rochelle gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Giverny. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. In January, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Giverny. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

La Rochelle usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during winter. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Rochelle usually receives more rain than Giverny. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Giverny. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

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

In the spring, La Rochelle often gets more sunshine than Giverny. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Giverny. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and La Rochelle