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

Should you visit La Rochelle or Honfleur?

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

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

Honfleur

Honfleur is a picturesque, scenic, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

La Rochelle and Honfleur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Honfleur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although La Rochelle and Honfleur are popular destinations, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Honfleur attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port. Honfleur is famous for its influence over Impressionist art, its stunning harbor, and its beautiful buildings.

How is La Rochelle different from Honfleur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Honfleur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Honfleur offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some of the most notable sights around the town include Saint Catherine's Church, Le Vieux Bassin, Notre-Dame de Grace, and the Normandy Bridge.

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

Both La Rochelle and Honfleur offer world-class 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.

Honfleur has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Located on the coast of Normandy along the English Channel, seafood is a defining element for most dishes here. Foodies flock to this town for its Michelin starred restaurants as well as its local cafes and quaint eateries. For land-lovers, there's a popular local cider-braised pork that you must-try. And for dessert make sure you try the Tarte Tatin.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Honfleur. Restaurants come to life at night when music flows out onto the streets. The town is not known for its partying, but that doesn't mean that it's a sleepy place that shuts down when the sun sets.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for its beaches. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for the beache.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. 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.

You can check out the beach in Honfleur. The town sits by the estuary of the Seine and there are two beaches not far from town. Butin Beach is the closest to town and the most popular, but Vasouy Beach is more relaxed and natural.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Honfleur does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, La Rochelle offers plenty to see. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Honfleur does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for its hiking trails. However, Honfleur is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting La Rochelle. 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.

Honfleur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Honfleur?

La Rochelle is very good for shopping. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Honfleur has some nice offerings. It's a charming town with boutique shops, chocolate shops, and the standard tourist places that sell souvenirs and t-shirts.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Families?

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

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.

Honfleur is a family-friendly place to visit. Located on the coast of Normandy, the town has boat rides, quirky museums, and Vieux Bassin, which is a beautiful and lively harbor. For kids who need to stretch their legs, there are many parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Honfleur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle has plenty to offer. 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.

Couples visit Honfleur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It has, arguably, one of the area's most beautiful harbors. There are also many great seafood restaurants, relaxing gardens, and spas that are perfect for couples.

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

La Rochelle is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for backpackers.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Honfleur is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll likely have more luck looking for an apartment than a hostel, so if you're looking for a place to stay with a social setting, you may be out of luck.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur Better for Students?

La Rochelle is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Honfleur 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.

Honfleur is not popular with students.

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

La Rochelle is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Honfleur. HO Buses travel from the outskirts or town into the center and are used mainly by locals. If you plan to head into Normandy to see the countryside, you'll want to have a car.

Is La Rochelle or Honfleur a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Honfleur are great 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.

Honfleur is a very walkable destination. The city center is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are also many coastal walks leading out of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Honfleur or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Honfleur?

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

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

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 picturesque city of Honfleur. Most people visit for the food. 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 Honfleur?

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 museums when visiting the scenic destination of Honfleur. 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 Honfleur?

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.

The serene city of Honfleur 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 Honfleur?

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 nightlife and food when visiting Honfleur. 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 Honfleur, we can see that Honfleur 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 Honfleur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honfleur 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 Honfleur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Honfleur?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Honfleur. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Honfleur, 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.