Top 5 must-see attractions in La Rochelle
During your stay at the Best Western Plus Central Park in La Rochelle, discover the city's iconic sites and let yourself be charmed by its historical heritage, cultural richness and ocean views. Here are five experiences not to be missed during your visit.
Ranked among the largest private aquariums in Europe, La Rochelle Aquarium will immerse you in a fascinating world.
Come and meet more than 12,000 marine animals from 600 different species. Explore 82 ecosystems spread across 3 million litres of seawater, from the Atlantic to the Tropics.
From delicate jellyfish to impressive sharks (20 specimens on display), each visit is an unforgettable immersion.
Before you leave, don't miss the Mémoires d'Océans shop, the perfect place to pick up an original souvenir.
Housed in an 18th-century mansion, the museum showcases the rich diversity of La Rochelle and its marshlands. As soon as you enter, you will discover unique collections.
On the first floor, the famous giraffe Zarafa welcomes you, while the zoology gallery retains its original layout with iconic species such as the dodo.
The second floor takes you around the world, through ritual and everyday objects collected since the 19th century.
In the botanical garden, Oriental plane trees, purple beech trees and ginkgo biloba trees stand alongside plant collections from all over the world.
The museum regularly hosts art exhibitions, concerts and guided tours.
Pass under the Grosse Horloge, the gateway to the old town, and lose yourself in its narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, vaulted passageways and sculpted gargoyles.
Observe the details of the façades, discover the Town Hall, the Cloître des Dames Blanches or the house of Nicolas Venette.
You will fall under the spell of this historic district with its unique atmosphere.
The Old Port is the historic heart of La Rochelle and one of its most iconic locations.
Lined with lively terraces, it is dominated by three medieval towers: the Saint-Nicolas Tower, the Chaîne Tower and the Lanterne Tower, a former lighthouse and prison.
Stroll along the quays, admire the architecture of the façades and enjoy the lively atmosphere that reigns at all hours of the day.
From the Old Port, embark on a sea cruise and set off to discover the legendary Fort Boyard, a listed historical monument.
Built in the 19th century to protect the Charente estuary and the ports of Rochefort and Île d'Aix, it later became a prison.
Now world-famous thanks to the television programme that bears its name, it stands proudly offshore, like a giant stone giant set on the ocean.
Book your room at the Central Park Hotel to enjoy your stay in La Rochelle.
La Rochelle Aquarium
Ranked among the largest private aquariums in Europe, La Rochelle Aquarium will immerse you in a fascinating world.
Come and meet more than 12,000 marine animals from 600 different species. Explore 82 ecosystems spread across 3 million litres of seawater, from the Atlantic to the Tropics.
From delicate jellyfish to impressive sharks (20 specimens on display), each visit is an unforgettable immersion.
Before you leave, don't miss the Mémoires d'Océans shop, the perfect place to pick up an original souvenir.
The Natural History Museum
Housed in an 18th-century mansion, the museum showcases the rich diversity of La Rochelle and its marshlands. As soon as you enter, you will discover unique collections.
On the first floor, the famous giraffe Zarafa welcomes you, while the zoology gallery retains its original layout with iconic species such as the dodo.
The second floor takes you around the world, through ritual and everyday objects collected since the 19th century.
In the botanical garden, Oriental plane trees, purple beech trees and ginkgo biloba trees stand alongside plant collections from all over the world.
The museum regularly hosts art exhibitions, concerts and guided tours.
The old town of La Rochelle
Pass under the Grosse Horloge, the gateway to the old town, and lose yourself in its narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, vaulted passageways and sculpted gargoyles.
Observe the details of the façades, discover the Town Hall, the Cloître des Dames Blanches or the house of Nicolas Venette.
You will fall under the spell of this historic district with its unique atmosphere.
The Old Port
The Old Port is the historic heart of La Rochelle and one of its most iconic locations.
Lined with lively terraces, it is dominated by three medieval towers: the Saint-Nicolas Tower, the Chaîne Tower and the Lanterne Tower, a former lighthouse and prison.
Stroll along the quays, admire the architecture of the façades and enjoy the lively atmosphere that reigns at all hours of the day.
Fort Boyard
From the Old Port, embark on a sea cruise and set off to discover the legendary Fort Boyard, a listed historical monument.
Built in the 19th century to protect the Charente estuary and the ports of Rochefort and Île d'Aix, it later became a prison.
Now world-famous thanks to the television programme that bears its name, it stands proudly offshore, like a giant stone giant set on the ocean.
Book your room at the Central Park Hotel to enjoy your stay in La Rochelle.
