Arrange your Avis car hire on your arrival at La Rochelle Airport and begin an unforgettable visit to this intriguing city. Our car hire service can be easily found as soon as you touch down at the airport. From there you’ll be ideally placed to explore La Rochelle and the south-west of France. With its luminous limestone buildings, La Rochelle in south-west France is known as the White City. Historic sights, family attractions, fascinating museums, numerous local markets, stunning beaches and a vibrant harbour make this a world-class destination.

Renting a car at La Rochelle airport is the perfect way to see all of this and more with the freedom of setting your own schedule. Choose from our fleet of economy cars, luxury vehicles and sporty models, and don’t forget to check out our premium extras including flexible one-way rentals, the option of adding additional drivers, child seats and more.

La Rochelle is an impressive French city to visit for many reasons. From shopping and fun family activities, to cultural sights, outdoor pursuits and delicious local food, your itinerary will always be full here. A 15-minute drive from the airport brings you into the city centre.

The perfect place to start your exploration of this city is the harbour and old port area where La Rochelle’s long history can truly be appreciated. The most eye-catching landmarks are the three medieval towers, of which the Tour de la Chaine houses an exhibition about the first settlers in Quebec, Canada, that travelled from La Rochelle around 400 years ago. Boat trips to Fort Boyard, built by order of Napoleon in the early 19th century, are available from the harbour.

A top family attraction is the state-of-the-art aquarium that provides the perfect mix of entertainment and education. Featuring a variety of sea life from the North Atlantic, there’s everything from turtles and seahorses to stingrays and sharks.

La Rochelle has a long and intriguing past that can be discovered at the city’s museums. The seafaring heritage can be delved into at the Maritime Museum that’s spread across three tall ships, making for a memorable educational experience.

The best of La Rochelle and beyond is easily accessible by car. Simply decide your next destination and then sit back and enjoy the drive.

 

Whether you drive inland or along the coast, there’s much to discover on road trips around the regions surrounding La Rochelle.

Marais Poiteven
An important ecological area in France, Marais Poiteven consists of marshlands, low-lying rivers and woodland dotted with tranquil villages. A large bird park featuring many rare species can be found here along with historic landmarks, including the ruins of the 11th century Maillezais Abbey.

The serene scenery of this standout attraction lends perfectly to outdoor pursuits such as cycling, walking and fishing. Guided boat tours are also available. To learn more about the unique habitats here, visit the eco-museum in Coulon. All of this is reachable within a 40-minute drive inland from La Rochelle.

Rochefort
Around 30-minutes away by car, the historic town of Rochefort is well worth a day trip from La Rochelle. This town has an interesting heritage centred around its harbour.

Once the site of an important naval base under Louis XIV during the 17th century, much wealth was brought here resulting in the town’s grand architecture that can still be admired today. Enjoy a wander around the harbour, learn about local history at the Marine Museum and visit the region’s largest market that takes place along Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Just get in your Avis rental car and drive wherever you please with complete ease and comfort.