A Travel Price Comparison for France La Rochelle vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Hiking

Should you visit La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Rochelle is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is very popular for its historical sights. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Mont-Saint-Michel are world-renowned. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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.

Is the Food Better in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

La Rochelle has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is very good for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of La Rochelle is revered around the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel both have notable trails.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

La Rochelle is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

La Rochelle is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Rochelle. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel make for a world-class place to visit.

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.

For those traveling as a couple, Mont-Saint-Michel has plenty to offer. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

La Rochelle is very good for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or La Rochelle?

How long in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in La Rochelle than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the inspiring island of Mont-Saint-Michel. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The religious island of Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 960 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Rochelle as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

La Rochelle is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. La Rochelle gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. La Rochelle gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and La Rochelle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, La Rochelle is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Rochelle in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. La Rochelle gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and La Rochelle during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, La Rochelle is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in La Rochelle average around 7°C (44°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, La Rochelle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. La Rochelle gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

La Rochelle usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. La Rochelle gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Rochelle or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Rochelle and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

La Rochelle is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in La Rochelle averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. La Rochelle gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Rochelle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. La Rochelle gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and La Rochelle