Winter Spring Autumn

La Rochelle is truly a place for all seasons, and not just for the dizzy heights of Summer !

Why visit La Rochelle outside Summer ?

To see why have a look at :

(use your browser's back button to return to this page)

Why choose us ?? Use our "Comparison Chart" to see why !!!

But don't just take our word for it :

"... we were not sure about coming in November, but we needn't have worried. La Rochelle has been as warm & sunny as Norwich in August (even if the leaves are a little more brown) !"

(Guests, November 2006)

"... we actually spent the afternoon sunbathing in March (18 degrees) !"

(Guests, March 2007)

"T-shirts are the norm in October. The belle saison now stretches from April to October with frequent sparklingly fine, warm days outside of these months. Rochelais (local people of La Rochelle) keep up the Christmas rendez-vous, turning out in droves to bask on the sunny terraces outside cafes and bars along the Vieux Port"

(French News. November 2005)

From October to April, whether it's for a long weekend (book by the day* !) or a week or longer, you can : (*minimum stay is 4 nights - 7 nights at Christmas, New Year and Easter)

enjoy up to twice as much sunshine as UK and Ireland (and more !)

The Charente Maritime's micro-climate means we get on average up to 130% more sunshine than the UK or Ireland :

with most months 20-30% warmer than UK and Ireland !

take advantage of cheap travel deals, by air or ferry

All fares are cheaper at these times of year. In addition, many companies have special offers to fill up spare space : subscribe to the e-mail newsletters of airlines to get advance notice of their special offers.

Also, of course the ferries and planes are a lot quieter and less crowded !

If you have any flexibility about dates of travel, to find the cheapest flights available in any given month try using one of the websites listed on our Air Travel page (use your browser's back button to return to this page).

Flexible mid-week start/finish days are welcome all year apart from July and August, so you can get the cheapest travel offers !

	revel in the quiet roads, beaches, countryside, bars and restaurants no crowds, hardly any tourists, just you and the local people enjoying unhurried and carefree travel on the way to that 2 hour lunch !
	with no need to worry about keeping warm and cosy in the studio, whatever the weather outside !

The studios are both well equipped with wall mounted electric convector heaters

you could even treat yourself to a Twin Centre "town and countryside" break in our countryside gite, just over an hour away from La Rochelle !!

Every month offers something different, in La Rochelle and in the surrounding countryside :

enjoy one of La Rochelle's many festivals held throughout the year, including :

October : Jazz entre les Deux Tours at La Rochelle : a week long jazz festival (www.larochelle.fr) and the Autumn Rally

November : the La Rochelle Marathon; a Gastronomy & Antique exhibition (www.parcexpo-larochelle.net) and the Art Atlantic contemporary art festival

December - January : some of the best Christmas lighting to be seen anywhere in France, and many special events

February : a 2 day Collectors Fair and Second Hand Market (www.parcexpo-larochelle.net)

March/April : in La Rochelle : a Poetry Festival and a Gardening Exhibition/Home Fair. At Chatelaillon-Plage near La Rochelle : a 2 day International Kite Flying Festival

see (& smell !) the wine harvests in September/October

cycle through the vineyards and countryside in the October sunshine

take a Christmas shopping trip to La Rochelle or Bordeaux in Nov/Dec

as experienced shoppers, we have to say La Rochelle and Bordeaux are the best places we've ever done our Christmas shopping !

Easy, secure and central parking. Many of the shops are along pedestrianised streets). Prices range from designer shops to value for money stores.

And ... plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants for those all important refreshment breaks !

gaze at the Christmas lights in December/January

(La Rochelle, Christmas 2001)

watch spring emerge March—May

(local vineyard, March 2002)

and any month, walk on deserted beaches or through beautiful countryside ...

(Meschers Beach October 2001)

Being the open and honest people we are, we should also say that the price we pay for all that sunshine and warmth, and for the lovely green countryside, is a fair amount of rain in November & December ! However, it tends to come in bursts, often at night, and often with good sunny periods in-between.

But with a decent umbrella, who cares - you're on holiday and if you get caught in a shower, it's a good excuse to pop into that restaurant for a leisurely 3 hour lunch break !

Or visit La Rochelle Aquarium, one of the many museums and historical buildings ... or just go shopping !!

Why choose us ?? Use our "Comparison Chart" to see why !!!