French courses in Poitou- Charentes: La Rochelle

Upon further consideration, they will no doubt remember it as the home of the fictional Dhome family, and of course, ‘Claude Le Clochard’, made famous by the series of ‘Tricolore’ textbooks.

La Rochelle though, has much more to brag about than its association with a fictional family and dubious smelling vagabond…

La Rochelle is one of those real hidden gems of a city. Located about half way down the west coast of France, in the Charente-Maritime region, it is a dynamic university city that has bags to offer both inhabitants and tourists alike.

Good news then, that it has recently been added to Easyjet’s list of summer destinations.

One of the real highlights of this lovely seaside resort is its famous harbour and two towers – key to the city’s defence in the Middle Ages. For many centuries La Rochelle was one of France’s main ports, and in fact it was this city that the Knights Templar made their all-important Atlantic base. La Rochelle is often considered to be one of the most unspoilt seaside towns in France, and has successfully managed to retain its great sense of history and beautiful old buildings.

Whilst La Rochelle stands out for its great historical significance, it is also home to some contemporary features that are equally as impressive – namely its shopping and its entertainment scene. Bars and restaurants can be found aplenty, and are great for seafood-lovers especially!



For anyone spending more than a weekend in La Rochelle, the nearby Île de Ré is also well worth a visit. Connected to La Rochelle by a 2.9 km long bridge, this beautiful island boasts an array of sandy beaches and a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts especially, with its many campsites, mass of cycle paths and huge range of watersports.

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