Car hire in La Rochelle
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Our services at La Rochelle
Car Hire La Rochelle Deals - Sixt rent a car
Make sure to enjoy everything this Atlantic coast town has to offer with your Sixt car hire from La Rochelle. From its tower-guarded forts to historic and cultural attractions or deliciously fresh seafood to long sandy beaches, the whole family will find something to love in this maritime city. Whether you are visiting La Rochelle for business or leisure we have the right car for you at our two conveniently located car hire branches.
Sixt car hire La Rochelle
To see a visual overview of our branches at La Rochelle Airport and La Rochelle Station click on the grey right-hand tab of the menu bar. At both the airport and station, we offer you a handy 24-hour return facility making the end of your visit stress-free. Please note that neither office opens on Sundays and La Rochelle Station closes at lunch times. When you hire a car with us you can take advantage of our competitive rates. You can compare our range of car classes on our vehicle category list before making a reservation. Once you have selected your car rental in La Rochelle reserving your vehicle is easy. Simply use our booking hotline or download the Sixt apps for Android and iOS devices. While we cannot guarantee a specific make of rental vehicle we do guarantee your chosen category of car hire in La Rochelle. Whether you need your car rental in La Rochelle for just a few hours, a weekend or longer you will receive a friendly welcome from our branch staff.
Our Service
Both of our car hire in La Rochelle branches have fleets of premium rental cars supplied by names you can trust like BMW, Jaguar, Audi or Mercedes-Benz. Affordable saloons and family-sized estate cars are perfect for driving the narrow streets of the city while rugged 4x4s take you into the Charente-Maritime countryside in comfort. Or, why not enjoy driving along the Atlantic coastline or crossing to the pretty Ile de Ré in luxurious open-top sports cars or convertibles? Our fleet also contains a selection of vehicles adapted for different mobility needs. Our attractive range of optional extras is designed to enhance your business or leisure driving in La Rochelle and includes Sat Navs and baby or booster seats. We have good deals on additional drivers, unlimited mileage options and any extra insurance you may require while younger drivers under 25 are always welcome.
Traffic Information
At La Rochelle Airport our desk is clearly signposted in the car rentals building and once your paperwork is completed the drive into the city centre takes just 15 minutes on the N237 road. At La Rochelle Station our branch is on the Avenue Du General De Gaulle just a short walk from the concourse entrance. The station is within easy walking distance of the historic town centre.
Driving in La Rochelle is fairly straightforward and having a Sat Nav makes sure you do not get lost in the narrow streets and confusing one-way systems of the old city. Driving away from the town is a pleasure whether you use the well-maintained motorway network or enjoy the scenic views and slower pace of life on country roads. Remember to have your driving licence and vehicle documents with you at all times.
There are several underground parking areas on the outskirts of La Rochelle and two types of metered street parking. Cheaper street parking is found on the outskirts while it is more expensive in the city centre where a two-hour limit is imposed.
With your rental vehicle in La Rochelle you will soon find your way around its three distinct areas. These are the port, the old town and the historic centre and if you take the short drive across the water to the nearby Ile de Ré you will discover its long sandy beaches. The naval history of La Rochelle goes back to the 14th-century and earlier. This can be explored in the three imposing towers that loom over the harbour. Climb the labyrinthine passages of the Tours de la Chaine, de la Lanterne and St Nicolas to enjoy views from their parapets and discover secrets from the city's dark past. Take some time to wander through the narrow streets of the old town with its quaint buildings and around the Port des Minimes where you can window shop for a luxury yacht before heading to La Rochelle Aquarium. This huge modern glass vessel houses over 12,000 examples of fascinating marine life as well as lots of interactive and educational activities for all ages.
Enjoy the Water in La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a superb destination for water activities from the gentle to the thrilling. Try your hand at futuristic flyboarding at Minimes Beach where with an aquatic jet park you zoom through the water at sci-fi speeds. Take a catamaran trip out to sea and see the sights of La Rochelle from a different perspective before enjoying a sunset dinner or make the 20-minute drive along the coast to Plage de Chatelaillon for some kitesurfing. Its micro-climate and reliable wind draw enthusiasts from all over Europe. Or, simply drive over the bridge to the beautiful Ile de Ré with its family-friendly beaches where you can sunbathe and swim to your heart's content.
Sightseeing Destinations
Along the coast the water theme continues at Marais Poitevin or Green Venice where hundreds of channels and canals criss-cross a huge marshland. It is the perfect place to get in touch with the native wildlife.
Distances to Marais Poitevin
- From La Rochelle Airport: 30 miles, about 40 minutes
- From La Rochelle Station: 26 miles, about 40 minutes
La Palmyre Zoo is set in lush pine forests and is home to big cats, apes and penguins as well as having lots of hands-on experiences for young children. The surrounding area is perfect for long forest hikes.
Distances to La Palmyre Zoo
- From La Rochelle Airport: 51.5 miles, about 1 hour 10 minutes
- From La Rochelle Station: 48 miles, about 1 hour
Delve into the area's military and maritime past at Rochefort's Corderie Royale, the old naval arsenal and rope-making works. Explore the exhibits before taking part in an action-packed and interactive pirate adventure.
Distances to Rochefort
- From La Rochelle Airport: 25 miles, about 30 minutes
- From La Rochelle Station: 20 miles, about 30 minutes
Business Destinations
Salt production along with maritime commerce and trade were for centuries the main economic activities of La Rochelle. Today tourism, fishing and port activities make up its economy. The Espace Encan, a former fish market and the smaller Forum des Perthuis contain high-performance facilities for conferences, exhibitions and entertainment.
Distances to the Espace Encan
- From La Rochelle Airport: 6 miles, about 20 minutes
- From La Rochelle Station: 0.5 miles, about 10 minutes
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Good to know when renting in La Rochelle
What's the minimum age to hire a car in La Rochelle?
To rent a car with SIXT in La Rochelle you need to be at least 18 with a valid license. Some car categories have a higher minimum rental age, and an underage driver fee may apply.
Can I modify, extend, or cancel my reservation?
At SIXT you can either pay online or when you pick up your car at La Rochelle.
Can I choose a different drop-off location in La Rochelle?
It is possible to rent a car one way between stations for pick-ups in La Rochelle. A fee may apply.
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Customer reviews & feedback
4.8
Based on 691 reviews
At the Sixt branch
(5.0)
The way to Sixt
(4.9)
Vehicle handover
(4.8)
Zoran J.
(5.0)
Great location and staff, excellent service. Highly recommend!
Rodrigue L.
(5.0)
PARFAIT
CATHY L.
(5.0)
Au top! Accueil service conseil et disponibilité
Alex M.
(5.0)
Vehicule et service Au top ! je reviendrai !!
Dan W.
(5.0)
Minimum of paperwork, everything carefully explained. The staff also helped by coming to my aid when I had difficulty engaging the car in reverse. It would help for staff to ensure drivers understand the operation of vehicle during the handover.
Lisa K.
(5.0)
Excellent service during the whole rental process.
Jerome C.
(5.0)
Gréât team
Philipp S.
(5.0)
Easy access from the train station, well connected. With an option to return the car at the airport.
Frederic W.
(5.0)
Small office opposite the train station. I mainly dealt with them by phone but the experience was seamless. It was a Sunday and they were closed but the A4 Avant was waiting for me (you get your keys from the nearby hotel). Just returned the car 5 days later. Will book with Sixt again.
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FAQs about car hire in La Rochelle
What do I need to rent a car in La Rochelle?
You need a valid driver’s license held for at least 1 year, depending on the car category. You might also need an International Driving Permit or official translation of the license.
Can I book a long-term car rental in La Rochelle?
Easily book a long-term rental at La Rochelle by entering trip dates and pick-up/drop-off locations.
Do I need to purchase insurance or protection packages with my rental in La Rochelle?
A damage waiver is included with your car hire. You can add other protection products to reduce your excess.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental?
You can add additional drivers to your booking as an optional extra.