After the Marathon Poitiers-Futuroscope: La Rochelle

The Route: Poitiers → La Rochelle (3 nights) → Poitiers or Paris Logistics: Trains run west from Poitiers to La Rochelle in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Check sncf-connect.com for times. Marathon Month: April Duration: 3 nights

Poitiers ──(train, ≈1 h 30)──> La Rochelle
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La Rochelle is an old Atlantic port with a compact, level centre, a good place to recover. The station is a short walk from the Vieux Port. In April the coast is cool and often breezy, and boat trips run a reduced spring timetable, so check before you go.

Day One: The Vieux Port

Walk from the station to the old harbour, where two medieval towers, the Tour Saint-Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaîne, guard the entrance. A third, the Tour de la Lanterne, is a short walk along the old wall. Cafés and restaurants line the quays.

Day Two: The Old Town

Behind the port, the old town's streets are lined with stone arcades, which keep you dry in a shower. Look for the Grosse Horloge, the clock gate between the port and the town, and the covered market, busiest in the morning. The Aquarium La Rochelle, near the port, is a good choice for a wet afternoon.

Day Three: Along the Shore

The seafront path runs from the port towards the Minimes marina. It is flat the whole way, so walk as far as your legs want and turn back. On a fine day, a boat trip in the bay is an option if the spring timetable allows.

Where to Stay and Eat

Stay near the Vieux Port or the station. Seafood is the thing to eat here, especially oysters from the nearby coast and mussels.

Getting Back