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

Should you visit Nice or La Rochelle?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and La Rochelle can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. Many visitors also come to Nice because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Nice travel costs.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See La Rochelle travel costs.

Nice and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nice than La Rochelle. Nice is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nice is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while La Rochelle is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Also, Nice is famous for The Promenade des Anglais. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Nice different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Nice and La Rochelle.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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 Nice or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Nice 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.

Nice is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or La Rochelle Better for Resorts?

Nice is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

La Rochelle is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Nice is great for the beach. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.

Nice is considered a top beach destination. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

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.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

The old town of La Rochelle is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or La Rochelle?

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

Nice is well-known for its shopping. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice or La Rochelle More Beautiful?

Nice is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, La Rochelle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Nice because of it's amazing beauty. A premiere destination in the French Riviera, this town is known for it's luxury, glitz, charm, and personality.

La Rochelle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Nice and La Rochelle are notable to visit with kids.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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 Nice or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

Both Nice and La Rochelle are terrific destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

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

Both Nice and La Rochelle are notable destinations for backpackers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Nice or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Nice is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Nice can get you to some places easily. There are both buses and trams.

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

Is Nice or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

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

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Nice?

How long in Nice or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Nice or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nice due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in Nice than La Rochelle. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nice, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glamourous seaside destination of Nice. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

La Rochelle is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nice or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the opulent destination of Nice. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This seaside destination offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

La Rochelle is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the glamourous seaside destination of Nice. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Nice. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Because La Rochelle is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or La Rochelle?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice or La Rochelle?

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 Nice or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nice as well as La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nice is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Nice usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Nice is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. In October, Nice usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Nice during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nice is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and La Rochelle. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

Nice is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Nice usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Nice