Shopping in La Rochelle

For shopping enthusiasts, let us say it straight away — your hopes for a glamorous shopping tour in La Rochelle are in vain. You won’t find large shopping malls, fashionable boutiques, or outlets in the city. La Rochelle is more appealing to antique lovers and regulars of flea markets.

Reviews of shopping in La Rochelle are rather modest. You can buy traditional souvenirs in small gift shops, but serious shopping opportunities are not to be expected here. For that, you’ll need to head to nearby Nantes or Bordeaux.

The main shopping street in La Rochelle — Rue du Palais — stretches from the Old Port to Place de Verdun. It is lined with numerous small shops set in medieval buildings that still bear the mark of centuries of history.

Another major shopping street, Rue des Merciers, connects Place de Fourche with Rue Saint-Nicolas. This pedestrian zone is home to antique shops, second-hand bookstores, and fashionable boutiques. Every Sunday, a lively antique flea market takes place here.

According to travelers’ reviews, the main shopping finds in La Rochelle, apart from standard souvenirs (magnets, keychains, and the like), are nautical-themed items. You can bring back a ship’s bell or a sailor’s striped shirt as a gift for friends. Gourmets may also appreciate the wide selection of wines and purchase a few bottles.