Which place is cheaper, La Rochelle or Saint-Tropez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint-Tropez 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.
Saint-Tropez is a opulent, ritzy, and celebrity-filled resort town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.
La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Visitors will usually find more to do in La Rochelle than Saint-Tropez, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Rochelle is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Saint-Tropez is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Saint-Tropez is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its trendy beach clubs around the Bay of Pampelonne, as well as its popularity with celebrities and the extravagantly wealthy. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Also, La Rochelle is famous for The Old Port.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Rochelle and Saint-Tropez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
La Rochelle is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.
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.
Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.
La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
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.
Saint-Tropez is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is all about the local flavors. You'll find plenty of local seafood as well as local organic meats, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and truffles. Cheese is a common ingredient as well. There are many different soups and stews, and bouillabaisse is a common fish soup found in the restaurants around town. Daube is another popular stew that is made with beef. Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole that has made a name for itself both inside and outside of France. And, of course, you have to try the local salads and pastries. Because it's such a touristy area, there are many restaurants geared specifically to the tourists, many of which are overpriced.
Saint-Tropez 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.
Saint-Tropez is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It is a place to see and be seen, so if you're looking for A-list celebrities, glamourous yacht parties, and ritzy dance clubs, then this is your place. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. The best season to come and party is during the summer months, but you'll still find plenty to do throughout the year.
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.
Saint-Tropez is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, La Rochelle is not a resort destination.
For the ultimate resort vacation, Saint-Tropez is a great choice. Luxury and extravagance is what this resort town is all about. If you have the money to spend, you'll have no trouble finding a glamourous villa or luxury hotel where you can relax, party, or soak up the French Riviera sun.
La Rochelle is not a resort destination.
Saint-Tropez is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
The clear water and abundant marine life make Saint-Tropez a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The Gulf of Saint Tropez is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive along the French Riviera. There are wreck dives including the most famous, The Rubis, a submarine that is surrounded by marine life. Although you're not allowed to enter the vessel, there is still plenty to see. There are also plenty of dive spots that feature rock formations, schools of fish, and lobsters.
La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Saint-Tropez is great for the beache. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the beach.
Saint-Tropez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are frequented by celebrities, so you'll find plenty of glitz and glamour by the water. For some of the best beaches, you'll want to head a little out of town. The most famous beach in the area is Pampelonne Beach which is popular with Hollywood celebrities during the summer months. Bouillabaisse Beach is the place to go if you want to look at the yachts, but for a more natural setting head to Graniers Beach.
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.
La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Tropez 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-Tropez does not have a historic old town.
La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Saint-Tropez 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.
Saint-Tropez is not a hiking destination.
Saint-Tropez is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Saint-Tropez draws large crowds to its stores. Surrounded by luxury, shopping is a must in this glamourous resort town. There are international luxury brands as well as local designer boutiques. Whether you're looking for yachting clothes, cigars, jewelry, or perfume, this is one of the best shopping destinations along the Cote d'Azur. Art is a particularly popular item to purchase while you're in town.
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.
Saint-Tropez is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Saint-Tropez is a very family-friendly destination. With great beaches, several amusement parks, waterparks, and even Marineland, there are an endless supply of activities for kids. There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. For adventure lovers, there are a number of different watersports to try and if the weather isn't cooperating, there are a few good museums and other indoor activities as well.
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.
With fun activities for couples, both Saint-Tropez and La Rochelle make for a first-rate place to visit.
Saint-Tropez makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Whether you're honeymooning or taking a short getaway to the French Riviera, this is a great option for couples. You can take a stroll at sunset, relax on one of the beautiful beaches, dine on local seafood, and soak up the rich local culture. The romance and beauty of this French Riviera city make it a world class romantic destination.
For those traveling as a couple, La Rochelle has plenty to offer. 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-Tropez and La Rochelle are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Saint-Tropez. For many backpackers it may seem cost prohibitive to visit the French Riviera, but for those with the money, it is well worth the splurge. You can save some money by staying outside of town or finding a vacation rental where you can cook meals. There are also hostels and rooms in local homes that come at a more reasonable price.
La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.
La Rochelle is a popular place for students. However, Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.
La Rochelle is popular with students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.
Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint-Tropez and La Rochelle.
You'll find some public transit in Saint-Tropez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects many parts of the area.
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.
Saint-Tropez 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.
Saint-Tropez is a very easy resort town to get around on foot. It's easy to explore many places on foot, passing by beautiful beaches, stunning views, impressive yachts, and glamourous villas.
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 Saint-Tropez Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Saint-Tropez or La Rochelle. In our opinion, Saint-Tropez has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint-Tropez than La Rochelle. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Saint-Tropez than La Rochelle. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint-Tropez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Saint-Tropez than La Rochelle. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint-Tropez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ritzy resort town of Saint-Tropez. 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. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the opulent destination of Saint-Tropez. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort town 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
The ritzy resort town of Saint-Tropez offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 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. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Saint-Tropez. 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.
La Rochelle is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint-Tropez is €148, while the average daily cost in La Rochelle is €114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint-Tropez and La Rochelle in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint-Tropez or La Rochelle? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint-Tropez:
Also for La Rochelle, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both La Rochelle and Saint-Tropez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint-Tropez.
Here are a few actual costs in Saint-Tropez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Rochelle.
Also in Saint-Tropez, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Tropez and La Rochelle, we can see that Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.
La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint-Tropez. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Tropez 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.
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.
Both La Rochelle and Saint-Tropez during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Tropez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.
Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In La Rochelle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Tropez. In the summer, Saint-Tropez often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.
Saint-Tropez usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Tropez and La Rochelle. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Tropez this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Tropez in October average around 17°C (63°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In Saint-Tropez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Tropez usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Saint-Tropez gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint-Tropez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint-Tropez usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Tropez as well as La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Saint-Tropez for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Saint-Tropez is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Saint-Tropez average around 9°C (48°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the winter, Saint-Tropez often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.
Saint-Tropez usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both La Rochelle and Saint-Tropez are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Tropez in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. Saint-Tropez usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Saint-Tropez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint-Tropez usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Saint-Tropez gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint-Tropez | La Rochelle | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Sep | 21°C (69°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |