Discover La Rochelle’s wild side with Mathilda: a breath of fresh air!

Proposed by Top French Cities

A breath of fresh air: discover La Rochelle’s wild side with Mathilda!

An ancient city with an eventful past, the “beautiful and rebellious” city of La Rochelle today boasts some outstanding heritage, thanks to its distinctive character and free spirit. To get to know it like a local, we are following blogger Mathilda, who reveals her favourite spots for taking in the salty air along the Atlantic coast.

Mandela Footbridge, a stroll over land and sea

A stroll over land and sea in La Rochelle

Living in the French capital of sailing, I grew up with maritime culture. To get a feel for this yourself, I recommend a stroll over the Nelson Mandela footbridge which runs along Minimes marina, the biggest in Europe.

MARAIS D’YVES NATURE RESERVE, Get right in amongst the flora and fauna of the Charentais coast

Between La Rochelle and Rochefort, this ancient costal lagoon encompasses a range of habitats (flood plains, wetlands, dunes, oyster farms) that form the perfect sanctuary for a variety of species.

PORT DU PLOMB DE L’HOUMEAU, an intimate but welcoming harbour

A Sunday stroll along paths lined with plaice... Found between Houmeau and Nieul-sur-Mer, the Port du Plomb provides a beautiful close-up of the limestone cliffs and colourful boats.

LANDS END LIGHTHOUSE, the twin of the lighthouse in Tierra del Fuego

When the sea is like a mirror, I love to walk along Minimes beach, with the Lands End Lighthouse as my guide. Built 18 years ago by Yule, a La Rochelle local, it stands out on the horizon like a promise of adventure.

ORBIGNY PARK, Trails splashed by the waves

Located amongst the Mail’s lanes, this oak-strewn park has a countryside feel that I find so relaxing.

THE BIG WHEEL IN PLACE DES DAMES BLANCHES, An unexpected viewpoint over the city

THE BIG WHEEL IN PLACE DES DAMES BLANCHES, An unexpected viewpoint over La Rochelle

I like to get a bird’s eye view (40m up) for a fun perspective of the labyrinthine streets of La Rochelle, its Vieux port and its towers that watch over the city.

Who is Mathilda?

An entrepreneur based in La Rochelle, Mathilda is the blogger behind Top Knot and Tea Cups, a “logbook” where she shares her passions and writes about lifestyle themes, like travel and zero waste.

Mathilda's Website (External link) (in french)

Zoom in: