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Dining in Europe > La Rochelle Charente Maritime, the French "département" surrounding and including the city of La Rochelle, is an area where quality cooking plays a very important role in local traditions. Many things are produced there - vegetables, wines and spirits - whilst oyster-farming and fishing are also major assets for the regional economy. As a result, there is a large choice of restaurants offering very good local cuisine. Of course, it is in La Rochelle itself that you will find the greatest choice of restaurants, and the narrow streets of the old city are particularly fruitful. For those who like seafood and fish, the choice is most impressive; you can find almost anything you want. There are a few very famous restaurants, like Chez André or La Marée, where you obviously won't be disappointed, as well as some more original places such as La Moule Rieuse or Les Comédiens, for example. Traditional cuisine also has its place in La Rochelle, and you'll often find a maritime touch in the dishes (gambas flambéed in Cognac, charentais style mussels, seafood sauerkraut...). For those with fuller wallets, Richard Coutanceau, Les Flots and La Maison des Mouettes are good places to try. If you want to spend less, but in quality places, you should head for the Passerelle Saint-Sauveur or Le Belvédère. La Rochelle is no stranger to international cuisine either there are small restaurants that take you to another country for the space of a meal: try Rigoletto for Italian food, Pattaya for Asian specialities, Kashmir for Indian dishes or Zocalo, for the spicy flavours of Mexico. It is around the old harbour, a very picturesque spot indeed, that most of the citys inhabitants like to go for a drink or an ice cream. Why not spend a pleasant half hour at Le Winch, La Marine or Le Loufoc? And don't miss The Ship with its great bistro atmosphere. However, Charente gastronomy is not limited to La Rochelle, and the "département" is full of many interesting addresses. Once over Ré island bridge, you'll find tempting restaurants such as the Richelieu, l'Auberge de la Chauvetière, les Gollandières, la Baleine Bleue and le Chasse-Marée. There the delicious recipes use mainly local products (Ré potatoes and asparagus, Surgères dairy products...). On Ré island, you can also relax with a drink at le Café du Commerce or Café de la Paix. If you're looking for a tasty snack La Bazenne and La Cabine de Bain are more relaxed places, Thalacap and Le Skipper serve good seafood, and Marco Polo and La Coppa offer Italian delights. If you head further south, you'll find many restaurants that satisfy, with their menu but also their setting: l'Ecailler, Le Moulin du Coivre and Via Loti on Oléron island, Le Râtelier near La Palmyre or l'Echassier in Cognac are a few good examples. Entertainment in La RochelleIn La Rochelle and the surrounding area there is a great choice of entertaining and cultural spots. Kids and grown-ups will appreciate the many beaches and wildlife parks, whereas culture enthusiasts will enjoy the museums and architectural sites. And those looking for a night full of fun will certainly enjoy themselves in the bars and clubs of La Rochelle, after a movie or an evening at the theatre. In good weather a walk around can be pleasant. The three towers Tour de la Chaîne, Tour Saint-Nicolas and Tour de la Lanterne, located on the vieux port (old harbour), are definitely worth a look for their architectural interest, as is the cathédrale and the Maison Henri II that you'll find out more about in our "Recommended Tour". If you're with children, head for La Palmyre zoo, located about fifty kilometeers south of the city, or try the animal park parc d'oiseaux et animalier in Saint Pierre on Oléron island. Another great spot for the young is Saint-Trojan steam train also on Oléron island. If its raining, head for one of the many museums La Rochelle has to offer. Try the musée Grévin with its wax statuettes, or the Natural history museum that children usually love. For a change of style, try the musée du flacon de parfum, dedicated to perfume bottles, or the musée des Beaux-Arts, where you can admire paintings by masters such as Le Sueur and Corot, and glasswork by Marinot. Broaden your views with architectural treasures from the surrounding area. Rocheforts corderie royale is definately worth visiting, just like the fort Boyard, a marvel of military architecture that stands isolated in the sea off the coast of Oléron island. Another alternative to rainy weather is the cinema. There are several in the city, since artistic life is very present in the Charente Maritime "département". Check out Méga CGR if you're into multiplexes, or Dragon and Dragon Plus if you prefer more intimate cinemas. Theatre is also a thriving scene in the area; just head for l'Odyssée théâtre to see the proof. Another hot spot for theatrical innovation is the Théâtre de l'Utopie, and there are many other places worth trying out. After a nice evening at the theatre or the cinema, you may feel like carrying on the evening in one of La Rochelles pleasant bars. Loufoc, le Cinq Café and le Ship are among our favorite ones, as well as the Music Hall and le Tuxedo, both generally open until dawn. Perhaps you're thinking of letting your hair down at a local disco or club? In that case head straight for the electrical ambience of the Oxford, le Triolet or l'Odyssée; three spots you're unlikely to forget. The following afternoon, or whenever the weather is good, wind down one of the wonderful fine sand beaches of the La Rochelle area. On Ré and Oléron islands there are plenty of unspoilt natural spots, such as the beaches of Domino, Grignon, Arnérault and la Brée. Recommended ToursLa Rochelle is situated in the north of the Charente Maritime area. The region is known for several reasons: its islands, its architecture and its wines, not to mention its seafood. Every year, thousands of tourists visit the narrow streets of La Rochelle, the ancient monuments and churches, while many more gather on the beaches of Ré and Oléron islands and savour delicious Pineau and Cognac in the back country. The "département" awaits you with its seaside and marshes but also its sloping vineyards, its wild coast and its well-known oyster farms. There are a wide range of features to discover, from lush countryside to the ocean, as well as men and women attached to their roots and willing to share their rich heritage. Travelling through this area is without doubt a wonderful way to explore the history of France... Ancient stone lovers, head for La Rochelles old harbour, Le Vieux Port, the true historical city centre and also the starting point of many walks through the city. Stroll along the narrow streets, and admire the beautiful sites, such as the Eglise Saint Sauveur, the Cathedral, the Hôtel de Ville, the Tour de la Lanterne and Tour Saint-Nicolas. If you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet check out La Rochelles great park, parc Charruyer, a wonderful spot to rest during your tour of the city. Nature lovers, head for Ré island, which has been linked to the continent by a bridge for about ten years. Visit its small picturesque villages, like Saint Martin or Ars en Ré. The island boasts some great walks and many cycling tracks, such as the Chemin de la Forêt, the Chemin des Marais, as well as the fine sand beaches of Rivedoux and Arnérault. Don't miss the area surrounding Loix, which is the wildest part of the island. From La Rochelle many cruises are possible; towards L'Ile d'Aix, a small island that you can only reach by boat, and which boasts the peculiarity of a fortified town, but also towards Oléron, the largest island in the region, which is also linked to the continent by a bridge. You can also take a two-hour cruise around the sea-locked Fort Boyard, which proudly stands facing Oléron island. To get to know the area surrounding La Rochelle more fully, there are many eclectic destinations to head for, since the Charente Maritime "département" is full of great ways to escape. Twenty kilometres towards the north, there is the small town of Marans, in the heart of the Marais Poitevin, and just south of the La Rochelle, the Yves natural reserve. Close by there is also the town of Rochefort and its famous Corderie Royale, not forgetting the Fouraspeninsula, a former military arsenal. Romanesque art lovers will appreciate the Notre Dame de Surgères church (access by the D939) or Les Dames abbey in Saintes (access by A387 motorway), both really beautiful monuments which are only half an hours drive from La Rochelle itself. Finally, it would a pity not to head slightly further south (approximately sixty kilometres) to discover not only one of Europes largest zoos, La Palmyre, but also the Cognac vineyards, well-known all over the world (access by A387 motorway). Dining in Europe > La Rochelle
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