To ask how to spend a hot day in La Rochelle....

[concernedrepurplehouse]

Just that really. We need to leave île de re and be sure of inbound connection to Paris but there’s no left luggage at Gare Ville and there’s a heatwave. Kids both teenagers.

All the outdoor cafes have large canopy covers and I'm sure the kids can find a power/WiFi source nearby. Good luck!

I think the heat is beyond canopies :)
but thank you

Well had you studied French in the 80s and not doodled all over the coursebook you'd know what was cool n happening in La Rochelle.

For those who didn't study French it was where the coursebook was set 😁

The aquarium.

The harbour is beautiful but whatever they have used in the paving slabs just reflects the heat back up at you. I've been there in 40+ and it's pretty unbearable.

Tricolore!

Great aquarium in la Rochelle

The aquarium is the best! My teenage kids loved it and over the years we've spent many happy hours there

@concernedrepurplehouse off topic but how did you find Ile de re? We're off there next week.

(And planning on an aquarium trip too)

Oh my gosh, I'd love to be there.

There's the pier/harbour bit. Grab a pack of cards or dominoes or chess or backgammon, set up shop outside a bar/restaurant and just spend the day under the parasols drinking wine or cocktails (and a butt-load of food). Playing cards or reading a book.

Don't even bother with the idea of trying to see anything or do an activity anywhere. Just sit, barely move and consume things with a beautiful view of the water.

OMG it's years since I've been there , the harbour and a pavement cafe would be my choice

Just spent the weekend there and it was 43 degrees. We mainly stayed in the hotel with aircon! Absolutely hideous temperature. Aquarium and then an air conditioned room is your best bet!

feeling, you will be a bit restricted till Tuesday when I think the heatwave ends. Where are you staying?

My French book was called “Toutes Directions”! It was a bit shit.....

We went 5 years ago and loved it! Are you camping? Will you have bikes?

I also recommend the aquarium in LR

Ile de re is fabulous. We have a mobile at the bridge to Ile D'oleron slightly further north. Re is expensive, fancy and very very busy. Olefin slightly less expensive and equally as busy.

Do not travel on the Grand Depart or Grand Retour. You will sit in traffic forever.

If you are in a car it's I think €16 to cross the bridge onto and off the island, and again, queues.

I remember that book but not to that depth.

This made me laugh! 😄

I was also going to say the aquarium! It's great.

boat tour around fort boyard

Les Minimes? It may be packed though so I'd go for the aquarium.

www.nannybag.com/en/luggage-storage/la-rochelle

@katscamel
I literally opened this thread because of 80's French lessons- while reciting - Ou est la piscine dans La Rochelle in my head

There's a beautiful shady park in the centre, not far from the casino

In fact, several

www.larochelle-tourisme.com/decouvrir/flaneries-citadines/parcs-et-jardins

You must have been at the only school that didn't have Tricolore!