I am booking a midweek break for the end of May and have found good value flights to La Rochelle. Is it a nice city/worth flying to from Dublin for 3 days? I want to book flights as soon as possible so would really appreciate any help!

Whether it is a good destination depends on what sort of thing you like. I would enjoy a few days there. Here is the English version of the town's own tourism website: http://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/ . They should shoot their web designer, but try to see past the poor design of the site, and you can get some impression of what the place is like.

I don't normally answer "is it worth it" questions, because how would I know what's worth it to you? But I saw la Rochelle in the title, and just wanted to say that it's one of my favorite places in France. Gorgeous setting, amazing food, and the Ile de Ré is delightful.

I concur with StCirq.

to whet your appetite:

http://www.photoworks.com/members/sl...230&key=mksfca

I went on a couple day trips there (from Châtellerault when I was on exchanges) and really enjoyed my time there. I never got a chance to visit l'Ile de Ré, but I'd love to go one day...

We spent 2 nights in La Rochelle in 2007; I loved it!

and to get to the ile, the bridge you cross is so
beautiful!!!

The bridge reminds me of the Confederation Bridge that joins Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, Canada.

Here's a photo of it.

http://www.whitings-writings.com/images/ile_bridge.jpg

Ruby, you're right!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipchitwood/699335001/

Thanks for the responses. La Rochelle worked out great...especially Ile de Re which we would not have even known about! Rented bikes and cycled around the island...lovely relaxing break!

France has so many good places to see that it is impossible to be aware of them all.

If you had asked a question like "La Rochelle or Ile de Ré -- which one should I visit?" -- you would have probably started a raging debate with much acrimony!

St. Cirq, I see you wrote about La Rochelle in another post. I will analyze this area too. So maybe with the 6 days, we can see Loire Valley and La Rochelle area. Does that make sense?

Hi, Byron.

Actually, that would make a nice 6-day trip, but to make the most of it I'd combine train and car. Here's a sample itinerary for you:

Day 1 - Take the train from Paris to Chartres. Visit the cathedral (take a Malcolm Miller tour if you can), then pick up a car and drive to Blois. Visit the château. Spend the night.

Day 2 - Visit the châteaux at Amboise (also the Clos Lucé) and Chenonceaux. Drive to Saumur, stopping at Chinon along the way. Spend the night.

Day 3 - Visit the castle at Saumur. Drive to Angers and visit the château and the Jean-Lurçat museum. Maybe squeeze in a visit to a troglodyte dwelling (or even eat dinner in a troglodyte restaurant!). Spend the night.

Day 4 - Drive to La Rochelle. Spend two and a half days visiting the area, including Ile de Ré. Take the train from La Rochelle back to Paris.

Obviously, there are many ways to break this down. This is just a suggestion.

>>Day 3 - Visit the castle at Saumur<<

We stayed in a Gite near Saumur in mid-July this year. The interior of the chateau was closed for restoration. Seems like it won't open soon either.

http://www.ville-saumur.fr/fr/activi...tes/index.html

We thought the town of Angers was much more interesting than Saumur - better restaurants also.

We're still not big fans of the countryside in the Loire.

Stu Dudley

St. Cirq and StuDudley, thank you so much. We too believe that it is not going to be about the countryside but it will be about the Chateau's. We will do more reading but wanted to let you know that we appreciate all your help.

We visited Saumur on a lovely day... and I recall that the grounds were the most interesting aspect of our tour. We also stayed in a charming small hotel.. whose name I can't recall now.
At breakfast the next day a very kind French man went out of his way to come to our table and tell us that Grace Kelly had died the nite before. He obviously recognized that we didn't speak French and weren't up on the news. Loved all the chateau(s) ?... but the ruins at Chinon are what I remember best. (And now you know how old I really am -