My husband and I plan to be in France in spring or fall 2027. For four days to a week.Can anyone recommend accommodations (€100 – €150 per night) and/or restaurants/markets? In la, Rochelle? Or maybe the surrounding towns or the Marais Poitevin?
We prefer an apartment in the old town, but we’re not sure what might be available. Also, any sites we shouldn’t miss?
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
4059 posts
For entire-home rentals (non-hotel) in France for stays of several days, check out Gîtes de France.
It is the French equivalent of Airbnb, but it has been around since the 1970s. You’ll mostly find them outside major cities, the properties are managed by private owners and regularly inspected for quality and comfort by the Gîtes de France organization. They range from simple rooms to large manor houses with pools. They use a rating system based on "ears of corn" (épis) rather than hotel stars.
Here is a search for the Charente-Maritime region, where La Rochelle is located:
https://www.gites-de-france.com/en/search?data-ori=ADSWFNGFFR17&department=17&departments=35
Near La Rochelle, you can visit the Île de Ré (it’s a bit upscale and famous for the "bobos"—bourgeois-bohemians—from Paris who come to spend a few days there).
The Île d'Oléron, a little further south, is also very pretty and less pretentious (plus, there is no toll for the bridge).
Note that during the last week of September, La Rochelle hosts a major boat show called "Le Grand Pavois," so it will be more crowded than usual and the perfect time to either avoid La Rochelle or ... buy a new boat. LOL.
Posted by
Paris 16ème (Auteuil)
1622 posts
My favorite hotel in La Rochelle is Le Champlain . It's a former hôtel particulier (mansion). One of my favorites in France.