A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. La Rochelle for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Marseille or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or La Rochelle?

Both La Rochelle and Marseille have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is known for its museums, hiking, and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Marseille different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Rochelle can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and La Rochelle both to be fantastic destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Many restaurants in La Rochelle have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. 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 Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and La Rochelle have good beaches worth visiting.

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and La Rochelle both have fantastic historical old towns that attract visitors.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

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.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille 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.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or La Rochelle?

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

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

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 Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, La Rochelle does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

La Rochelle does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly coastal town. 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

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

Marseille and La Rochelle are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

La Rochelle is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle Better for Students?

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

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and La Rochelle.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

You'll find some public transit in La Rochelle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Marseille or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Marseille and La Rochelle are very good when it comes to walkability.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille 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, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Marseille. 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 Marseille. 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 Marseille than La Rochelle 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 Marseille.

One day in Marseille or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or La Rochelle?

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Marseille. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, 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 Marseille and La Rochelle, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or La Rochelle?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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.

When is the best time to visit Marseille or La Rochelle?

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 Marseille or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marseille is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Marseille is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In the winter, Marseille is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Marseille