A Travel Price Comparison for France Versailles vs. La Rochelle for Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Versailles or La Rochelle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or La Rochelle, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Versailles

Versailles is a ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a charming, peaceful, and relaxing coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Versailles and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or La Rochelle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Versailles and La Rochelle are popular destinations, La Rochelle has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Rochelle is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. La Rochelle is famous for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also well known for The Old Port.

How is Versailles different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Versailles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Versailles are world-renowned. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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.

Is the Food Better in Versailles 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, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities La Rochelle has a few options to choose from. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles is not a beach destination.

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.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Versailles is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Versailles or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Families?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

La Rochelle offers lots of family activities. 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Versailles is not as popular, but is still a nice palace for its romantic activities.

La Rochelle has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Versailles is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Versailles or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Versailles 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 Versailles can get you to some places easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Versailles or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Versailles and La Rochelle are very good when it comes to walkability.

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

La Rochelle is a very walkable palace. 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 Versailles Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or La Rochelle?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the ornate palace of Versailles. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this palace 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Versailles or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the ornate destination of Versailles. This palace 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.

Even though La Rochelle is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Versailles or La Rochelle?

The beautiful palace of Versailles offers 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, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Versailles and La Rochelle, we can see that Versailles 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Versailles or La Rochelle?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Versailles 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 Versailles 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 Versailles or La Rochelle in the Summer?

Both La Rochelle and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Versailles is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Versailles in July average around 20°C (68°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. Versailles usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Versailles usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Versailles or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle and Versailles during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to La Rochelle because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Versailles is generally cooler than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Versailles often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Versailles gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets less rain in October than La Rochelle. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or La Rochelle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and La Rochelle. The winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Versailles is cooler than La Rochelle in the winter. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Versailles usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Versailles usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Versailles 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 Versailles or La Rochelle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Versailles as well as La Rochelle. The natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Versailles is around the same temperature as La Rochelle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Versailles in April average around 11°C (52°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Versailles often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 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 Versailles