A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lausanne vs. La Rochelle for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Lausanne or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or La Rochelle, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a vibrant, cultural, and international city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing 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.

Lausanne and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Lausanne. While Lausanne is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Lausanne is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. La Rochelle is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Lausanne different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Rochelle and Lausanne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Lausanne or La Rochelle.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lausanne can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Rochelle. 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 Lausanne or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lausanne. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Lausanne and La Rochelle.

Lausanne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for 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.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Lausanne is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Lausanne is not a beach destination.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Lausanne is a good destination for visiting its old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Lausanne is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Lausanne is well-known for its shopping. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. 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.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Lausanne and La Rochelle are both good destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lausanne. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

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.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

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

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for students.

Lausanne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

La Rochelle is a good city to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Lausanne and La Rochelle.

You'll find some public transit in Lausanne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

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.

Is Lausanne or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne 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.

Lausanne is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Lausanne or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Rochelle due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Lausanne, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Lausanne. 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 Lausanne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Rochelle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Lausanne 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 Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Lausanne. 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.

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.

A weekend in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Lausanne. 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.

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.

Five days in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

The cultural city of Lausanne 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.

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.

A week in Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lausanne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or La Rochelle?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and La Rochelle, 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.