Where Do Ships Dock in La Rochelle?

[cluso]

Does anybody know exactly where the cruise ships dock in La Rochelle? I know it is an industrial port with limited facilities. Was wondering how to get to the closest car rental office--distance, mode, cost. On Celebrity Infinity in October--I think it is new for Celebrity. I know some other cruise lines have used this port.

[Turtles06]

Does anybody know exactly where the cruise ships dock in La Rochelle? I know it is an industrial port with limited facilities. Was wondering how to get to the closest car rental office--distance, mode, cost. On Celebrity Infinity in October--I think it is new for Celebrity. I know some other cruise lines have used this port.

 

Kim, are you on the Infinity TA or the wine cruise? We're on the TA. From some other threads on here, I get the sense that the ship docks well out of town. I've called Celebrity to ask if they will be running a shuttle; their folks in Miami have no idea and said they would "email the ship" to ask them and get back to me in a couple of days. That was about three weeks ago. :rolleyes:

 

There was no urgency, which I why I haven't followed up yet, but I will. Our plan there is to walk around the Vieux Port (the historic Old Harbor), and I just wanted to know our options for getting there.

[cluso]

Turtles 06,

We are on the wine cruise on the 12th. We like to drive ourselves around--the last time we were driving in this area (actually in Les Sables-D'olonne) was 1997. Celebrity did not have any answers for me either. Hopefully, some of the cruisers before us can shed some light on the docking. Looks at whatsinport.com and I think they show the area. Meanwhile, I'll email some car rental companies.

[Turtles06]

Kim -- all the time I spend on here, and I've never seen a reference to that web site before. What a great resource, thanks for telling me about it!

 

Sure looks like the dock in La Rochelle is out in the boonies (not even called La Rochelle). The web site says no taxis around -- hard to believe when a ship comes in. Also says not walkable to anywhere. I hope you can find a car rental company that will pick you up! (Or perhaps you just have to take the shuttle bus into the center of town...)

 

Have a great trip, and thanks again for that web site!

[FrancineH]

We are in La Rochelle this month (very soon) Did you find out how to get to closest car rental from the port, and how much it costs/day?

[Morgans]

The name of the port is La Pallice and it is a long way from the town in an industrial harbour. There is normally a shuttle put on for passengers for this reason. We have been there a few times and the shuttle has been provided by the town itself and not always the cruise company. With P&O it is free. I think Celebrity charge. This may have changed but I don't think so.

La Rochelle is a beautiful, beautiful town and well worth seeing itself. Try the Crepes and the cider - local specialities.the harbour is lovely and there is an excellent selection of boutiques and shops if that is also your preference. Be aware that in October/November it can be cold and wet so come prepared.

Sorry can't help with car hire info.

 

Try this website http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/mediterranean/france/la-rochelle/

[JHUNTGOLF]

We were on Celebrity Infinity's September 18 cruise that stopped overnight in La Rochelle. The city provides a free shuttle bus from the ship to the downtown area. The bus stops right at the Tourist Office that has a wealth of info, bathrooms, and free Wifi (but only 5 users can be on it at a time). I'd estimate that it was about a 15 to 20 minute ride. This was our first time in La Rochelle. It was a very nice place to visit, with a picturesque harbor. Also, there's a large ferris wheel across the street from the Tourist Office. Hope this helps.

 

John

[Loimike]

The port is called La Pallice.

 

https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=206958048032790798368.0004deb9f2cd7a03c9898&msa=0&ll=46.157659,-1.197767&spn=0.046492,0.111494

Edited October 20, 2013 by Loimike

[ChrisofWestSussex]

This is my first post - it may be in the wrong place!

 

We are going to La Pallice/La Rochelle in July with Fred Olsen and the website says there are no shuttle buses from the port of La Pallice to La Rochelle - but the £25 tour/transfer they do only gives you the morning in La Rochelle and some of us may want to stay all day.

 

Surely there must be a shuttle bus that runs regularly to La Rochelle and back to La Pallice when there is a ship in dock???

 

I would appreciate any up to date information on this please - actually the same query with the next stop, Getxo for Bilbao - no shuttle bus, but only the morning allowed in Bilbao??

 

Thanks in advance

[Morgans]

When we were there the free shuttle bus was provided by the town chamber of commerce (or similar) and was put on specifically for the cruise ship passengers to take them into the town to visit the shops and the attractions. It ran throughout the day to and from the port. The ship continued to provide a choice of excursions as well. Perhaps Fred Olsen thought that you were asking if they were providing the shuttle?

 

You may have more luck asking on the Fred Olsen section of these boards or even google La Rochelle to find out more info. Good luck.

[ChrisofWestSussex]

Thank you so much - this actually works!

 

I shall try the Fred Olsen section - I did not know there was one - but actually it clearly says in their brochure that no shuttles exist between La Pallice and La Rochelle and the only shuttle available, they said today, was from the port of La Pallice to the town of La Pallice!

 

Thanks again

[Turtles06]

This is my first post - it may be in the wrong place!

 

We are going to La Pallice/La Rochelle in July with Fred Olsen and the website says there are no shuttle buses from the port of La Pallice to La Rochelle - but the £25 tour/transfer they do only gives you the morning in La Rochelle and some of us may want to stay all day.

 

Surely there must be a shuttle bus that runs regularly to La Rochelle and back to La Pallice when there is a ship in dock???

 

I would appreciate any up to date information on this please - actually the same query with the next stop, Getxo for Bilbao - no shuttle bus, but only the morning allowed in Bilbao??

 

Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

When we were in La Rochelle last fall (off the Celebrity Infinity) there were free buses at the port to take us into town (and back). I can't recall precisely now, but I'm pretty sure they were provided by the city. The city has a vested interest in getting visitors into the town itself so they can SPEND MONEY. :)

 

This website confirms my recollection that there was shuttle service:

 

http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/mediterranean/france/la-rochelle/

 

If you want to contact the local tourist office to confirm there's a shuttle, I think you can do it via this link:

 

http://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/contact-us

 

La Rochelle makes for an excellent DIY ("do it yourself") day. The Vieux Port area is charming, and well worth walking around (and into the towers). And for lunch, I had one of the best Nutella crepes I've ever eaten.

 

You can download some great maps from this website:

 

http://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/city-maps

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

 

(La Rochelle, by turtles06)

[Bogbrush]

I can't recall precisely now, but I'm pretty sure they were provided by the city. The city has a vested interest in getting visitors into the town itself so they can SPEND MONEY. :)

 

 

Quite so, although the town does not need to rely on tourist income so you will be treated the same as anybody else! It is one of the three top places for Parisians to retire to, there is a University (plenty of students in term time!) and a great deal of local commerce and industry - not all of it seafaring although it now boasts one of the largest leisure marinas in Europe.

 

In my humble opinion the best restaurant is the dark red building situated just at the foot of the far tower in Turtles' excellent picture of le Vieux Port above. It is called Les Flots and run by one of the Coutanceau clan - they have 3 or 4 restaurants in the area each run by a sibling and specialising in slightly different things. Outside Les Flots is the chain which used to be run between the two towers at night to close the harbour and prevent enemies getting in.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Bogbrush