See OfFersHome to a historic sea port of the Bay of Biscay, La Rochelle's highlight are its picturesque Old Harbour, boasting many fantastic seafood restaurants, and its beautifully maintained architecture. As the location of international TV show 'Fort Boyard', you can also take a boat from the harbour to the Fort itself - built in the 1800s under Napoleon rule.
In addition to its vast history, Arts and Culture is a big part of everyday life in La Rochelle. with big events such as the Francofolies, the International Film Festival, the Grand Pavois and the TV Fiction Festival all happening annually throughout the city.
- Flight time from London: 1hr 35min
- La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport: 8km from the city centre; transfer time about 17min
- Nearest railway station: Gare de La Rochelle
- Currency: Euro

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Important Notice: Introduction of the EU Schengen Entry/Exit System
Please be advised that, effective from 12th October 2025, a new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be implemented for all travellers entering and exiting the EU and Schengen Area.
This digital system will replace the current manual passport stamping process by electronically recording border crossings for UK nationals and other non-EU travellers.
At this time, no action is required from travellers prior to their journey. We recommend reviewing the official government guidance to understand how this may affect your travel arrangements.
For comprehensive information, please visit the official UK Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system