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

Should you visit Rouen or La Rochelle?

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

Should I visit Rouen or La Rochelle? 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming 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.

Rouen and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Rouen is more popular for its impressive beauty. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. 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 Rouen different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

La Rochelle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Rouen and La Rochelle.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

La Rochelle is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rouen is not a hiking destination.

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.

Rouen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or La Rochelle?

Both Rouen and La Rochelle are notable shopping destinations.

Rouen offers some nice shopping areas. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

La Rochelle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Families?

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

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly city. 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 Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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

La Rochelle is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for students. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen can get you to some places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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

Is Rouen or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Rouen and La Rochelle both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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 Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Rouen 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 Rouen, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Rouen. 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 Rouen. 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Rouen. 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Rouen or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the impressive destination of Rouen. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or La Rochelle?

The impressive city of Rouen 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 fun place to experience. La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Rouen or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Rouen and La Rochelle, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rouen Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or La Rochelle?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rouen as well as La Rochelle. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

Rouen is cooler than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In the summer, Rouen often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Rouen is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rouen usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Rouen during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Rouen is cooler than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rouen usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Rochelle. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Rouen