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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a friendly, relaxed, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a peaceful, relaxing, and laid-back coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Toulouse and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than La Rochelle, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulouse is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is known for its beaches, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. La Rochelle is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both La Rochelle and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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.

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

Both Toulouse and La Rochelle offer a number of terrific restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in La Rochelle. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. 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 Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for hiking. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

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

Toulouse is well-known for its shopping. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Toulouse is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Toulouse is very family-friendly. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

La Rochelle is a great coastal town for couples, as it 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.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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

La Rochelle is a coastal town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

La Rochelle is a good coastal town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or La Rochelle Better for Students?

For students, both Toulouse and La Rochelle are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

La Rochelle is a good city 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.

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

Toulouse and La Rochelle both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

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

Is Toulouse or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Toulouse and La Rochelle are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

La Rochelle is very walkable. 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulouse or La Rochelle. In our opinion, La Rochelle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Rochelle than Toulouse. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Toulouse. 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed city of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. 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. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxed destination of Toulouse. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Rochelle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

The relaxed city of Toulouse offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulouse. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or La Rochelle?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities 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.

In July, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), 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 Toulouse. Toulouse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Toulouse during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, 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.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and La Rochelle. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Toulouse is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as La Rochelle. The spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In April, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 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 Toulouse