A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. La Rochelle for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Rochelle than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its impressive beauty. La Rochelle is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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 Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

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

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

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

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

La Rochelle offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle, and they are notable.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting La Rochelle. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle are notable family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

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

La Rochelle is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

La Rochelle is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

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

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the industrial city of Saint-Etienne. 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. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the authentic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

The historic city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife 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 small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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 comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both La Rochelle and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and La Rochelle. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 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 Saint-Etienne