Les Minimes & Old Port
La Rochelle Stay Guide
Handpicked tips within walking distance of the marina, beach and Old Port.
Quick facts
Use this cheat sheet to plan groceries, transport, and memorable outings.
800 m – Les Minimes beach
Illico 1/3 buses + Yélo bikes
This evolving guide gathers the essentials for living like a Rochelais: orientation, nearby essentials, cultural highlights, foodie stops, and ready-made itineraries. Mix and match the ideas, then ask us for personalised tips before you arrive.
Practical neighborhood map
Quickly spot the studio, beach, Old Port, Maritime Museum and aquarium before you arrive.
The studio is shown on the map by the orange pin in the heart of the Les Minimes neighborhood.
What the pins represent
- Studio – Les Minimes neighborhood, your home base for the stay.
- Les Minimes beach – wide sandy beach about 800 m away.
- Old Port – historic heart of the city with terraces and restaurants.
- Maritime Museum – floating ships and exhibitions by the harbor basin.
- Aquarium – a must-see family-friendly visit near the harbor.
- Café de la Paix – historic café for brunch, coffee or an afternoon treat.
Orientation & neighborhood
- •Cycle from Les Minimes to the Old Port in 10 minutes.
- •Grab Illico 1/3 buses or a Yélo bike to reach the historic centre.
- •Catch sunset views along Pointe des Minimes facing Fort Boyard.
Daily essentials
- •Carrefour City and the covered market for everyday shopping.
- •Les Minimes bakery and Café de la Plage for a seaside breakfast.
- •Pharmacy, ATM, and bike rental all within a 5-minute walk.
Things to do
- •Les Minimes beach, paddle sessions, and boat trips to Fort Boyard.
- •Medieval towers, Maritime Museum, and the Aquarium for culture breaks.
- •Bike ride to Île de Ré or picnic in the leafy Parc Charruyer.
Food & drinks
- •Le Bout du Quai: seafood platters overlooking the marina.
- •Le Bistrot de Mémé: homely French comfort food in a relaxed bistro setting.
- •La Yole de Chris: relaxed bistronomy by chef Coutanceau.
- •AiÔLe or the market halls for tapas, natural wines, and oysters.
Wellbeing & remote work
- •Sunrise jogs or yoga flows along the seaside path in Les Minimes.
- •Thalasso and spa treatments 5 minutes away for mid-stay recovery.
- •Coworking cafés (Le QG, Café de la Paix) with fast fibre Wi-Fi.
Sample itineraries
- •Day 1: Aquarium visit, lunch in the Old Port, sunset stroll in Les Minimes.
- •Day 2: Bike over to Île de Ré, dinner by the marina.
- •Slow weekend: Saturday market haul, beach afternoon, brunch at Café de la Paix.
Local vibes
Three snapshots to set the mood
Preview the places you’ll explore around Les Minimes before you even arrive.
Oceanfront promenade
Just 200 m from the studio, this coastal path is ideal for a sunrise jog or coffee facing the Atlantic.
Golden sunset
Head to the point at dusk and watch La Rochelle glow under warm orange hues.
Old Port energy
A 10-minute bike ride takes you to the medieval towers, terraces, and buzz of the historic center.
Need ideas?
Get a tailored game plan
Tell us who you’re travelling with and your vibe (family, foodies, remote work) and we’ll craft a mini-itinerary before you check in.