It was March – the sun was out, and it felt like spring, yet it was not. At least not to French standards. It was already late to book a place to stay in summer, but after a long search and a couple of helpful friends later (mostly suggesting which region to choose), I booked this incredible house, wondering how it would be in reality. Is it as beautiful as it is shown, or maybe it's a trap and will be a disaster like I have had a few times when the apartments are in the basement, or there are other issues one does not expect.

We had to arrive around 4 pm, but we did so seven hours later, arriving at the house in the dark. The lights, left on by Simone, waited for us inside, as did the gate code and the house itself. Cava greeted us on the table along with a handful of nougats and a letter from the owner. The house, even in the dark, was stunning. Better than in the pictures. It was all we had dreamt about and even more. One of those places you wish was your own holiday home.

We popped open our champagne (cold from home), put some cheese and bread on plates, and close to midnight, sat on a super small terrace/yard and enjoyed the silence brought by the night. The quiet and peace before going to bed, when we had an idea to meet the ocean. The ocean, enclosed in the dark, was more of a pebble and stone situation as it was low tide and soon after, the light in the house was turned off.

La Rochelle was our other surprise on this trip. The gem of the French east coast, next to others along the coast. It surprised us. The city, famous for its seafood, oysters, ocean breezes, beaches, and architecture, is renowned for a reason. It is one of those places you won't forget and probably will never cross off your list as a place to visit. Its tiny houses – mixed with the rare larger one, all with white stone walls – are eye-catching, very particular and picturesque. The bike-friendly city makes you want to bike and tour around the city. The park invites you to run and walk there. Markets, located in different parts of the city, with the old market in the center, are a paradise for all those seeking the freshest ocean produce, local meat, and seasonal fruits in organic and not-so-organic manners. Restaurants, not too many, are local and authentic and invite you, again and again, to munch on the freshest produce, as do the ice cream shops, boulangeries, fromageries, and wine shops. The city has many excellent ones of the last kind, specializing in organic, biodynamic, and authentic wines.

La Rochelle offers its bounty if you stay there and also if you are willing to get on a bike or in a car to spend your day in Ile de Re. That is another story to be told. Its tranquility is mixed with visiting crowds, places to visit, and things to do.

I will not go too deeply into the details of our whereabouts, as it was my very deserved vacation, when my camera happened to be with me, but one thing I must say – if you have never been there, La Rochelle is a must, a treat, a joy, and everything you imagined, especially if you take a bike ride or car ride (rides) to Ile de Re for perfect beaches when the tide is low. See the list pf places to visit below.

Places La Rochelle

Stay - Villa Georges, La Rochelle
Coffee - for espresso and roasted beens search for @loptimist_cafe
Wine -and appetizers - Retour de Vignes @retourdevignes
Restaurant and wine - Aperta @aperta.larochelle
Wine - @bonsvivantslr
Ice cream - Romeo Createur Givre @romeo.createur.givre
Pastries, tea and praline cream - @brix.patisserie
Fish - Poissonnerie Loligo (75 av. Jean Guiton)
Market (especially Wednesdays and Saturdays when there are many organic stands) - Marché de La Pallice
More elaborate dinner - @restaurant_impressions__