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Getting to La Rochelle

Intérieur Gare de La Rochelle
Francis Giraudon

Ideally located between Nantes and Bordeaux, La Rochelle is just 2.5 hours from Paris by train.

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Less than 1 hour from La Rochelle...

All the information on how to get to the maritime city.

Getting to La Rochelle: all the transport solutions

From Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes, Poitiers or Niort, the best solution to come to La Rochelle is to use a sustainable mode of transport, as an alternative to the car: it is easy and far from being a constraint, it is also more comfortable. Here you are on your way to the ocean, far from the traffic jams, with a good book on your lap, music in your ears or a good film on your computer... Time to yourself saved on driving, which already propels you into your holiday. You arrive at your destination relaxed!

 

Gare de La Rochelle
Francis Giraudon
Gare de La Rochelle

Coming by train: the ideal green solution

In terms of transport, La Rochelle has a major advantage: its railway station in the heart of the city. It is therefore very easy to come to the maritime city by train! TGV, Intercité or TER, all you have to do is take the right train. As well as being a practical way to travel, it is also a more ecological and often faster solution than the car.

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TGV (high-speed) and Intercity Trains

  • Paris-La Rochelle: 2hr30 to 4hr
  • Bordeaux-La Rochelle: 2hr30 to 3hr30
  • Nantes-La Rochelle: 2hr
  • Great deals and low prices all year round for a getaway whatever the season!
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TER (regional) New Aquitaine trains

  • To make getting around the Region easy

Taking the bus: an eco...nomic solution

Another solution is to come by bus, with the Ouibus service from almost anywhere in France or via the regional road transport network of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which offers a bus service with a network covering the whole region and the Charente-Maritime department. A good alternative, which also has the advantage of being economical.

It's possible to get to La Rochelle by bike!

Coming by bike and turning the journey into a touring trip on one of the French cycle routes, like the cycle tours through the heart of the Loire castles, is a great way to spend a sporting holiday. La Rochelle is a stopover town on the Vélodyssée (linking Roscoff to Hendaye) and the Vélo Francette (linking Caen to La Rochelle). Let's saddle up and head for the Atlantic!

Take up the challenge of the Vélodyssée

The Vélodyssée, the French part of the Atlantic Coast Route - EuroVelo 1, is a cycle route that crosses Brittany and follows the Atlantic Ocean to the Basque Coast along a wild and invigorating route. Get on your bikes and set off on a journey of more than 1200 km of cycle tourism with the ocean in the background!

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Cyclistes à La Rochelle
Kamel Lahmadi

Arriving in La Rochelle: the marina

The La Rochelle Marina, located in the Minimes district, is the ideal stopover for all yachtsmen who wish to reach La Rochelle by sea. The marina has been awarded the Clean Ports and 4 Gold Anchors label and has several docking basins, nautical facilities and is connected by numerous land transport links to the city centre of La Rochelle and its sites of interest.

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Getting to La Rochelle by plane 

Located 5 km from the centre of La Rochelle and near the Ile de Ré Bridge, La Rochelle airport is easily accessible thanks to the regular shuttle buses available to travellers:

  • Illico line 1B, from Monday to Saturday to the city centre
  • Line D5 every Sunday and public holiday
  • Throughout the year, line 3/3E "La Rochelle-Ile de Ré", operated by Transdev, serves the 10 villages of Ile de Ré from the airport.
Aéroport de La Rochelle
Gilles Delacuvellerie
Aéroport La Rochelle-Ile de Ré
Aéroport de La Rochelle - Ile de Ré

La Rochelle - Ile de Ré Airport

The La Rochelle - Ile de Ré airport is located 5 km from downtown La Rochelle and 2 km from the Ile de Ré bridge.
La Rochelle See on the map

Coming to La Rochelle by car

  • Paris : 467 km  
  • Lyon : 650 km
  • Marseille : 825 km 
  • Nantes : 146 km
  • Bordeaux : 180 km 
  • Toulouse : 400 km  
  • Strasbourg : 950 km
plan circulation aytré-les minimes
LR

Les risques majeurs

Compte tenu de sa situation littorale et de la nature de ses industries, l'agglomération de La Rochelle est susceptible d'être touchée par des phénomènes exceptionnels, naturels ou résultant de l'activité humaine. Le territoire de l'agglomération rochelaise est exposé à 6 types de risque majeur : 

  • 4 risques naturels : érosion et submersion marine, séisme, mouvements de terrain, risques météorologiques

  • 2 risques technologiques : industriel, transport de matières dangereuses.

Le signal d'alerte

En cas d'évènement nécessitant une mise à l'abri, l'alerte est donnée par les sirènes. Elles émettent un son caractéristique en trois séquences de 1mn 41sec, espacées de 5 secondes de silence. Une fois le danger écarté, les sirènes émettent le signal de fin d'alerte, un son continu de 30 secondes.

Les bons réflexes

Il existe pour chaque risque des mesures spécifiques, détaillées dans le Document d'Information Communal sur les Risques Majeurs. Les conduites à tenir dans la plupart des situations sont :

  • Se mettre à l'abri
  • Ecouter la radio (France Bleu La Rochelle-98.2) et respecter les consignes des autorités
  • Ne pas aller chercher ses enfants à l'école
  • Ne pas téléphoner afin de libérer les lignes pour les secours d'urgence.

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