Quartier Saint Nicolas

Quartier Saint Nicholas exudes an air of allure due to the fact that many of the streets are paved with cobblestone, a charmingly quaint square tucked away among the trees, and many of its buildings are tucked away underneath old arcades. The historic district of the town's fishermen can be found sandwiched between the train station and the old port (old port).

THINGS TO DO AT QUARTIER SAINT NICHOLAS:

• In this tranquil pedestrianized area, you can go shopping, followed by some downtime:

During the daytime, the atmosphere has a laid-back and bohemian vibe. The neighborhood of Saint-Nicolas moves at its own pace, despite being located close to the hustle bustle of the docks of the Old Port. It has all the character of a small village, complete with a bakery, butcher shop, and restaurants with quaint, cozy terraces.

It has a bohemian touch, and strolls through this area are highly recommended due to the abundance of outdoor record stores, art galleries, and bookstores, in addition to charming window displays and second-hand stores.

• Savor delectable meals in traditional settings that reminisce the old world charm in sharp contrast to the metropole:

The city's charming pedestrianized lanes and the must-see place de la Fourche provide the ideal environment for enjoying a meal outside. Both of these locations are located within the city. The sound of silverware clinking and the low murmur of voices coming from the terrace may whet your appetite and tempt you to join them.

• Stroll around the stalls at the flea market and look through the merchandise: rare antiques and unique treasures.

A professional flea market takes place every Thursday and Saturday in the area shaded by trees in the Place de La Motte Rouge. You will find vintage utensils such as wooden barrels for your leg-of-mutton sleeves, drink-specific glasses, a tonne of silverware with family monograms, vintage postcards from the area that are decades old, comic books that you read when you were younger, and more.

In the summertime, this location also hosts a market specializing in handcrafted items. You will have a delightful time meandering through their adorable white-wooden shacks.

• La Guignette is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the area's culture:

La Guinguette, established in the space formerly occupied by blacksmith's workshops, exemplifies these classic settings. The establishment's interior design pays tribute to the more recent history of the surrounding neighborhood.

This wine cellar is a La Rochelle institution well-known both within the city and beyond its borders.

When the time comes for La Guignette to close its doors, the partygoers continue their night at the neighboring taverns or, if the weather is nice, at the outdoor dance hall known as 'Belle du Gabut'!