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

Should you visit Toulon or La Rochelle?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and La Rochelle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a quaint, charming, and peaceful coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulon and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or La Rochelle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in La Rochelle than Toulon. While Toulon is larger than La Rochelle, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty. La Rochelle is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Rochelle is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

La Rochelle has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and La Rochelle are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

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 Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

La Rochelle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

Toulon and La Rochelle are nice choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

La Rochelle has a beach worth visiting. 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 Toulon or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or La Rochelle?

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

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

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 Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Toulon or La Rochelle.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly port 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 Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

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

Both Toulon and La Rochelle are nice destinations for backpackers.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Toulon or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is very good for students. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Both Toulon and La Rochelle offer nice public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

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

Is Toulon or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Toulon and La Rochelle both are great when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

La Rochelle is a very walkable port city. 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 Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or La Rochelle?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the real world port city of Toulon. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the industrial destination of Toulon. This port 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or La Rochelle?

The industrial port city of Toulon 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. 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 it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulon and La Rochelle, we can see that Toulon 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 Toulon Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or La Rochelle?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Toulon as well as La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Toulon is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 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 Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulon because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In October, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Toulon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toulon is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in January than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and La Rochelle. Many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Toulon is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 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 Toulon