La Rochelle, France 4/4 Eating

In La Rochelle, there are lots of restaurants to choose from. I base my research on Michelin guide, but not the star ones, recently finding star restaurants too fancy and prefer the others, good cooking but not yet get the star!

The Yole de Chris is next to the sea and run by the most famous star chef there, as a bistro version. Guarantee good quality seafood at reasonable prices.

L’impression has a good value set menu, honest good cooking with local seasonal ingredients.

The most impressed is Opaline, also a good value set menu, with only veg and seafood, very good cooking and a large varieties of ingredients, very creative and really tasty.

La Rochelle is near oyster farming area, and oyster is everywhere, especially good to taste different brands at the market. To enjoy even more variety of different cultures of oyster, it is better to come from November to April.

La Rochelle, France 3/4 Ile de Re

Connected to La Rochelle via a long bridge, Ile de Re is an island that is in a strategic location for protection against pirates. Serious 1.5 km long fortification had been built in the 16th C and reinforced in the 18th C. It is still standing and able to walk around, or cycle. 

Lots of cycle lanes in both La Rochelle and in Ile de Re, we are more worried of being hit by bicycle than by car.

The curvatures of the fortified walls is so pleasing to look at. The bell tower of the church has a fleet of narrow wooden staircases to go up to the top, for the view, and the climbing up is an experience. 

A lot of places to stay and restaurants to eat, including a few along the water front a short walk from the town.

La Rochelle, France 2/4 architecture

I like western Europe because most cities retain an old centre, with beautiful architecture of that era, lots of curves. France is very good in keeping the old area in good condition, just wandering around La Rochelle is a pleasure.

La Rochelle, France 1/4 Towers

The 5th summer in Ireland and is the first time I feel the weather is far too dull. Unlike previous years, it may be a cloudy but bright white clouds and most of the time has a bit of blue sky every day. This summer is mostly grey cloudy days, and very few glimpses of clear sky.

So decided we need a short break in September to somewhere with better weather and food to cheer us up, La Rochelle satisfies the requirements.

This old port town has been strong and rich since the 15th century for seafaring and slave trade. The 3 towers to protect the harbour is iconic, all can get up via spiral staircases to the top, for the experience and the view. 

 

 
A lot of space around the waterfront to wander about, with grand sea view from the very centre of the town. Not that crowded in September and lots of good ice cream and places to drink and rest.