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There is a six hundred year old tower in la rochelle. French city of La Rochelle (Poitou-Charentes region)

French city of La Rochelle (Poitou-Charentes region)

La Rochelle is France's most attractive and unspoilt seaside town. Thanks to the foresight of Mayor Michel Crepeaux, the city center was liberated from developers and traffic in the 1970s to the delight of pedestrians.

At the time, this policy caused shock and horror, and today it has become standard practice for the preservation of ancient centers throughout the country - proving to be much more successful than Crepo's plan.

The French city of La Rochelle boasts a long history, as you would expect from such a fortified port on the Atlantic. In 1199, Eleanor of Aquitaine granted the city a charter exempting it from feudal obligations, and it quickly turned into a major port, trading in salt and wine and skillfully exploiting Anglo-French clashes.

The Wars of Religion, however, proved particularly devastating for La Rochelle. The city became Protestant and, due to its strategic importance, incurred the wrath of the ruthless Cardinal Richelieu, who laid siege to La Rochelle in 1627. To the great dismay of the townspeople, who claimed that no one could organize an effective blockade of experienced sailors like them, Richelieu managed to close all approaches to the harbor with a dam.

The British sent the Duke of Buckingham to help, but his sleeping detachment was taken by surprise on the island of Re and smashed to smithereens. By the end of 1628, famine forced the townspeople to surrender to Richelieu. Out of a population of 28,000 before the siege, only 5,000 survived. The walls of the city were demolished and all privileges were taken away from it. Later, La Rochelle became the main port through which trade was conducted with the French colonies in the Antilles in the Caribbean and Canada. Moreover, many settlers (especially in Canada) come from this part of France.

Arrival and information about the city of La Rochelle

Getting around in La Rochelle will not be difficult. Arriving at the ornate train station on boulevard Joffre, change to Avenue de Gaulle opposite to enter the city centre.

As you approach the coastline, you will see the Tourist Office on the left (address: quai de Gabut; April-June and September) where you can purchase excellent maps and museum passes for €6.60, which includes the New World Museum, the Orbigny-Bernon Museum and Art Museum.

In addition, the CDIJ Youth Center (address: 2 rue des Gentilshommes) has an information service for young people. Most of attractions, which are worth seeing, is located behind the coastline - that is, between the port and Place Verdun (Verdun), where the bus station is located.

    Transportation in La Rochelle

A bus terminal (an efficient public transport system) is also located on Place Verdun. Once you've packed your luggage, you can use your bike to explore the city: two free municipal bike parks await you, a legacy of Michel Crepeaux's original scheme where no ID is required, no restrictions, and you can pick up or leave your bike at any point.

One park is located on Place de Verdun (address: place de Verdun; open all year round) by the bus station, the second - on the Quai Valen (address: quai Valin; only May-September) near the tourist office. By handing over any semblance of ID, you can use the bike for free for two hours - the time beyond that costs only 1 € per hour. You can rent a bike both at the train station and at Motive Location, opposite the Maritime Museum.

Car rental is provided by Ada (address: 19 avenue de Gaulle) and Rent-a-car (address: 29 avenue de Gaulle). The city also operates an ingenious flat-rate taxi system for travel within La Rochelle with a 24-hour calling system. The entire urban transport system is coordinated by RTCR.

La Rochelle is a maritime transport hub: boat services await you excursions around the city, as well as crossings to the island of Re, the island of Oleron, the island of Aix and to Fort Boyard. Sea transportation is provided by the transport companies Navipromer and Intereles. The cost of trips and schedules vary depending on the season, weather conditions and currents, which sometimes also affect the performance of the crossing.

Accommodation in La Rochelle

Accommodation in the city of La Rochelle can sometimes be a problem, so from May to mid-autumn, rooms (and even places on the campsite) must be booked well in advance. Although there are several inexpensive (often quite noisy) hotels in general, expect resort prices at most establishments, especially during peak season.

An alternative to hotels can be rented apartments, of which there are many, especially in the Les Minimes area. The travel agency has a service for accommodation in rented apartments; there for a small fee for you book a hotel room .

    La Rochelle Hotels

1). Le Bordeaux Hotel– Comfortable and hospitable hotel on a characteristic pedestrian street between the railway station and the port. Closed in December. Hotel address: 43 rue St-Nicholas;

2). Comfort St Nicolas Hotel– A very attractive modernized hotel in a beautiful street, two minutes walk from the port. All rooms have air conditioning and a TV. Hotel address: 13 rue Sardinerie;

3). Fasthotel– A small quiet hotel, consisting of modern bungalows, near the port of Minim and the beach. Hotel address: 20 rue Alfred-Kastler, Les Minimes;

4). De France-Angleterre et Champlain Hotel– A comfortable hotel located near a vast park. The old, venerable part of it is called Le Champlain, and the new addition of the Great Western chain is called France-Angleterre: both offer everything you expect from an old-fashioned and modern three-star establishment. Hotel address: 20 rue Rambaud;

5). Francois I Hotel– A well-organized hotel in an old building, with a courtyard surrounded by walls, comfortable rooms. Hotel address: 15 rue Bazoges;

6). Henri IV Hotel– An excellent and very popular hotel in the very center of the city, on Place de la Caille, ten minutes walk from the coast with the port. Hotel address: 31 rue des Gentilhommes;

7). Hotel De l'Ocean– Comfortable two-star hotel with an enviable location and air-conditioning in the rooms – many rooms overlook the port. Hotel address: 36 cours des Dames;

8). Le Printania Hotel“A pleasant, unpretentious establishment in the city center, on a quiet street. Hotel address: 9 rue Brave-Rondeau;

9). Le Tour de Nesle Hotel“A large, comfortable old hotel in the heart of La Rochelle. Hotel address: 2 quai Louis-Durand.

    Hostel and Campsites La Rochelle

1). Hi Hostel– Large modern hostel overlooking the Marina of Minim Port, 10 minutes walk from the beach, shops and restaurants – and with a self-service dining establishment and a bar. Take the number 10 bus from Place Verdun to Les Minimes, or go there from the station, following the signs on the left. Hostel address: Avenue des Minimes;

2). Camping municipal de Port-Neuf- In the northwestern part of the city. Well-maintained camping in the shade of trees, about 40 minutes walk from the city center. Take bus number 20 from Place Verdun, direction: Port-Neuf. Open all year round;

3). Camping Le Soleil– Very well located next to hostel and next to the beaches - it is often filled with young vacationers. Take the number 10 bus from Place Verdun to Les Minimes. Closed from October to May. Camping address: Avenue Michel Crepeau.

Attractions La Rochelle

In general, the center of La Rochelle is considered the Old Port (Vieux Port), where pleasure yachts are moored in even rows in front of two impressive towers that guard the entrance to the harbor. Rue du Palais, leading north from the Porte de la Grosse Horloge, reaches the cathedral and several museums on Rue Thiers.

Between the harbor and Port des Minimes, the new marina, 2 kilometers south of the city centre, there are several excellent children's museums and a large frigate (permanently moored to the shore) where you can learn a lot about the seafaring past of La Rochelle.

The heavy Gothic gate Gros-Orloge (Porte de la Grosse Horloge) rises above the inner port - the entrance to the Old Town. The embankments in front of them are filled with courts and therefore do not have to walk - for this it is better to walk along the shady courtyard of the Dames (cours des Dames) towards the Chain Tower (Tour de la Chaine) of the XIV century. The tower got its name in honor of the heavy chain with which it was once connected to the opposite tower of Saint-Nicolas (Tour St-Nicholas) to close the port at night.

Today, at night, the city is invaded only by yachtsmen from the other side of the English Channel, whose boats are much more here than working ships, which are mostly brightly painted trawlers. The steps behind the tower lead up to rue Sur-le-Murs, which follows the top of the old breakwater to the third - the Lantern Tower (Tour de la Lanterne), or the Tower of the Four Sergeants.

It was named after the four sergeants imprisoned there and executed for refusing to recognize the Restoration of the monarchy in 1822 (same hours and cost as the Chain Tower). You can climb even higher, to what remains of the city walls, planted with greenery. Beyond is the beach, with casinos, hot dog stands and entertainment pavilions in the background, along with a vast and truly beautiful belt of parkland that stretches all the way to the western edge of the city center and along Avenue du Mail behind the beach, where the first seaside village was built by the rich Larochelles.

    Pale street and surroundings

The true charm of La Rochelle awaits you on the main street full of shops - the Palais (du Palais), leading from the Old Port to Place Verdun. Mansions of the 18th century lined up along it: some half-timbered, others made of gray stone, with characteristic La Rochelle tiles in the shape of fish scales, and facades shops are located in the depth behind the covered passages on the first floors.

Among the most beautiful are: the Exchange (Hotel de la Bourse) - actually the Chamber of Commerce - and the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice) with columns on the facade (both mansions are on the left side). After walking a few more meters, you will see on the Rue Augustins (des Augustins) another grandiose building, built for a wealthy La Rochelle in 1555 - the so-called mansion of Henry II(Maison Henri II) with a loggia, gallery and tiled turrets, where the offices of the regional tourist office are located.

On its own, Place Verdun, with its boring, humpbacked, classic 18th-century cathedral on the corner, is uninteresting. The only thing that bribes there: a wonderful, luxuriously decorated cafe De la Paix with a mass of mirrors, gilding and plush furniture, where wealthy La Rochelle ladies come to drink tea with lemon and put a couple of sweet cakes in their mouths with an elegant gesture - there is also a tempting sausage shop next door shop and fish shop.

To the west of the Palais (especially the rue de l`Escale, paved with granite cobblestones brought from Canada as ballast on the cargo ships of La Rochelle), you will see the discreet residences of 18th-century shipowners and candle manufacturers who hid their riches behind high walls and classically austere architecture.

A much less modest gentleman built his mansion on the corner of Rue Fromentin (Fromentin): this 17th-century physician decorated the front of his house with statues of famous physicians - Hippocrates, Galen and others. On St-Ceme Street, closer to the city walls, is the Orbigny-Bernon Museum (Musee d'Orbigny-Bernon) with an extensive department dedicated to local history, serious collections of local faience, Chinese and Japanese porcelain and beautiful furniture.

East of Rue du Palais, starting at Place de Petits-Bancs, Rue du Temple will take you to town hall of La Rochelle(Hotel de Ville), protected by decorative, but seriously fortified walls. Its construction began around 1600, during the reign of Henry IV, whose initials, intertwined with those of Marie de' Medici, are carved into the gallery on the ground floor. It is a fine example of the Italian style, modified in French taste: the building is decorated with niches, statues and coffered ceilings, all made of ripe barley-colored stone.

If you want to immerse yourself in silence in the atmosphere of those seemingly much nobler times, there is no better place than the terrace of the Cafe de la Poste (right next to the post office, on a small pedestrian square outside). More free local architecture (almost as old) awaits you further down, on des Merciers, another area for shopping; walk along it to a cramped and noisy market square, not far from which you will see the Museum of the New World (Musee Noveau Monde), the entrance to which is located on rue Fleuriau.

Unusually, this museum is located in the former residence of the Flerio family, wealthy merchants and shipowners who, like many other La Rochelles, made their fortune in the trade of slaves, as well as sugar, spices and coffee from the Caribbean islands. A fine collection of engravings, paintings and photographs of old plantations in the West Indies awaits you; maps of America in the 17th-18th centuries; photo-engravings of Indians (made circa 1900) with amazing names like Piopio, Maxmax, Wallavalla, and Lawyer Pierced Nose. An interesting exhibition of aquatint illustrations for Marmontel's novel The Incas is a striking mixture of sentimentality and gentle voluptuousness.

On the nearby Gargoulleau Street (rue Gargoulleau) is the Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts), where most of the exposition is centered around the works of several La Rochelle masters - the history of art, from the most primitive to the modern, is also traced here.

To get back to the port, after getting out of the maze of pedestrian streets around the town hall, walk down St-Sauveur street (St-Sauveur) with a large and gloomy church, through the quai Maubec and Louis-Durand (quai Louis-Durand) to Saint-Nicolas street (St-Nicholas) and the neighboring Fourche square (place de la Fourche) with a large shady tree and street cafe– both of them are pedestrian and boast several antique shops, second-hand bookshops and fashion boutiques. A flea (antique) market is open on both streets on Sundays.

    Toward the port of Minim

On the east side of the old harbor, behind the tower of Saint-Nicolas, is the Gabut quarter (quartier du Gabut), where fishermen once lived in wooden houses and sheds, and now there are many bars, shops and restaurants. Behind them is a large dock, a market and buildings for the maintenance of the old fishing port. An aquarium has now been built there. Opposite the aquarium you will see the Maritime Museum (Musee Maritime), which includes an interesting collection of obsolete ships, as well as terrestrial exhibits.

A ten-minute walk from here you will see the Museum of Automata (Musee desAutomates; address: rue de la Desiree) - an amazing collection of 300 puppet automatons, where you will be transported to a wonderful fantasy world. Some of the dolls are interesting from a historical point of view; others (such as the puppet capable of writing the word "Pierrot") are curious in their technical construction. A little lower on the same street you will find the Museum of Reduced Models (Musee des Modeles Reduits).

For families, prices seem high (especially considering that the entire tour takes no more than half an hour), but a visit to this museum can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Automaton Museum. There are scaled-down models of all kinds and eras on display, from automobiles to simulated shipwrecks underwater and the La Rochelle train station.

Port des Minimes is a large modern harbor where thousands of yachts moor, about 2 kilometers south of the old port. You can get there by bus number 10 from Place Verdun, as well as by a much more interesting "sea bus" (bus de mer) - a small boat that runs from the old port to the port of Minimes - or just walk along the coast (30 minutes). There are shops, restaurants, bars and residential apartments, and young beauties and beauties flock there on weekends and summer evenings to parade along the wonderful beach of Minimes (plage des Minimes).

Where to eat and drink in La Rochelle

For a meal in La Rochelle, try the area of ​​Rue du Port and St-Sauver, close to the coast, or the attractive street of St-Jean du Perot, where there is everything you want: from pancakes and pizzerias to expensive ones restaurants for gourmets and several establishments of exotic cuisine (including Indian and Chinese).

Also, the city of La Rochelle is famous for its classical french cuisine. Particular attention should be paid to the city's many excellent fish restaurants. Both Ernest Le Glacier (15 rue du Port) and Olivier Glacier (21 rue St-Jean du Perot) serve excellent ice cream until late.

La Rochelle from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about La Rochelle.

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History of the city of La Rochelle

La Rochelle was founded in the 10th century, and in the 11th and 12th centuries it became an important center in the network of the Knights Templar, who built a large port here. A reminder of this time is the street of the Templars (rue des Templiers). Until the 15th century, La Rochelle was the largest port of France on the Atlantic coast, and in the Renaissance, the city openly accepted the ideas of the Reformation and from the second half of the 16th century became the center of the Huguenots, which gave it a period of prosperity and peace - though short. The confrontation with the royal troops in 1628 deprived the city of any political privileges for a long time. Former glory and prosperity returned to him only in the 17-18 centuries, with the beginning of active maritime trade with Canada and the Antilles.

After the revolution of 1789, luck again turns away from the city, and the next stage of revival begins only with the creation of a deep-water port in the 19th century.

Beautiful La Rochelle

The beaches of La Rochelle

There are no organized beaches within the city. The nearest recreational area, Les Minimes, is located 3 km southwest of the Old Port on the Quai de Valennes. But 9 km from La Rochelle is the island of Re with beautiful sandy beaches.

Popular hotels in La Rochelle

Entertainment and attractions of La Rochelle

The center of La Rochelle is the Old Port, which is a harbor surrounded by the quarters of the Old City. In the 14th century, to protect the port, special towers were built on both sides: on the western side - La Chene, on the eastern side - Saint-Nicolas. In case of danger, chains were stretched between them, blocking the entrance to the port.

The fortress wall, stretching west from the La Chen tower, will lead to another tower - Lantern, also called the Tower of the Four Sergeants. In 1822, the sergeants of the garrison were executed here, plotting the overthrow of the newly restored monarchy. The inscriptions scratched on the walls were made by English pirates imprisoned in it in the 17th century.

All three towers and the Orbigny-Bernon Museum can be visited on a single ticket. In addition, while in La Rochelle, you can significantly save on transport costs and entrance tickets to museums if you purchase the La Rochelle city pass. Cards are available for 1, 2, 3 or 7 days and are sold at the Tourist Office of La Rochelle.

After passing through the tower gates, you will find yourself on Palais Street - the main shopping street of La Rochelle. Rue Mercier runs parallel to the east of it. Between these two streets, the buildings traditional for the port city have been preserved - medieval houses with hinged slate cornices and arcades to protect from rain, Renaissance mansions, stone buildings of the 18th century, drains in the form of gargoyles ... all this creates a special atmosphere of La Rochelle.

The first time I learned about La Rochelle was when I was reading The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas as a child. Then I thought that this was a very persistent and courageous city, which alone opposed all the troops of Cardinal Richelieu. When I arrived there, I immediately liked it very much. A beautiful historical part with narrow streets and an embankment with an old fort that withstood so many sieges. But if you go to more remote areas, you will see buildings in an ultra-modern form, which in an amazing way blend perfectly with the pearl gray ocean.

The ocean is an integral part of the city, in which its influence is felt at every step. I had never seen the ocean before, so I was greatly impressed by its wide expanse, spreading out before my eyes.

I spent more than two weeks in this city, during which I went to open classes at one college. We were given excursions to the museums of La Rochelle, and even to the local city hall. I lived with a very nice French family, who received me very well. They took me to small islands near La Rochelle, and to the ruins of medieval castles in the area.

How to get there

By plane

Clue:

La Rochelle - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Yekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season. When is the best time to go

La Rochelle - monthly weather

Clue:

La Rochelle - monthly weather

Food. What to try

Things to do

How to move around the city

Ski holidays

How to get there?

Getting directly to La Rochelle from Russia is extremely problematic. In any case, you will have to go for a long time and with transfers. The journey will take at least a day.

It is most convenient to first fly to Paris by plane. Fortunately, there are direct flights - or -. Further, you can use the services of the bus system or train. If funds allow, then go by plane. La Rochelle has its own airport, though small

By plane

Although the city has its own airport, which is called Lale, it only accepts domestic flights and low-cost airlines - Ryanair. There are no direct flights from Russia there. If you prefer to travel by plane, you can fly to Paris. Aeroflot, Russia or Air France offer such options with departures from Moscow or St. Petersburg.

The flight will take about 3 hours. Tickets cost from 15,000–20,000 rubles. depending on the airline you choose. You can find flight prices for your dates.

After arriving in Paris, you need to move to another airport - Orly, since almost all regular flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport. It can be reached by RER B (an hour and a half, 10 EUR per ticket) or by the Air France bus, which runs between the two airports (20 EUR, about an hour on the way).

True, flights Paris-La Rochelle go only with transfers in Lyon and other cities. Ticket price - from 375 EUR. Travel time can be about a day or more.

Getting from the airport to the city itself is possible only by taxi (from 30–50 EUR) or by car. It will take 17 minutes in time.

By train

Paris

At first, you can take a train from Moscow, which follows through, to. These are trains with numbers 023/024. The first one runs on Wednesdays, departing from Moscow at 22:15, and on Fridays at 09:33. On the way you will spend 37 hours 18 minutes. The second train has a slightly different schedule: on Fridays at 18:58 and on Sundays at 11:01. It will take you a little longer - 38 hours 3 minutes. Both trains pass through , Poznan, Frankfurt, Karlsluhe, . Ticket price - from 201 EUR. It depends on the selected class.

By train you can get to La Rochelle from Paris. You can buy a ticket on the French railway website or already at the station, but it’s better to do it in advance, as it will come out cheaper. Ticket price - from 40 EUR. Travel time is about 5 hours.

Nice

Another option is to take a train from Moscow to Nice. There are two trains that follow this route - 017B and 018B. 017B has the following schedule - on Thursdays at 11:18 and on Saturdays at 08:40. It goes 47 hours 22 minutes. The second runs on Saturdays at 22:29 and on Mondays at 23:25. Travel time - 46 hours 56 minutes. Both trains go through the following stops - , Bohumin, . Ticket price - from 178 EUR.

Tickets can be purchased on the RZD website in advance.

There are also trains from Nice to La Rochelle. The ticket price is 228 EUR, but the travel time will take several hours.

The train station in La Rochelle is located on Boulevard Joffre, not far from the Aquarium. The city center can be easily reached on foot. It's only a 10-15 minute walk.

By bus

From Russia to Paris can be reached by Ecolines buses for 200 EUR.

Buses run from Paris to La Rochelle. In Paris, they leave from the Bercy station, and in La Rochelle they arrive at the same station as the trains. Ticket price - from 19 EUR. You will need to go with transfers in the cities of Ren or. In total, you will have to spend 17 hours or more on the road.

We traveled by charter bus from Paris to La Rochelle. The roads are smooth, no potholes. Small shops and cafes regularly come across where you can buy food or a snack.

By car

There are several ways to go by car to La Rochelle:

  • immediately by car from Russia, crossing the whole of Europe, right up to the city, but there are many important points that are important to consider. I wrote about this in about France.

  • using the services of sites for finding fellow travelers by car with a driver. It is, of course, inexpensive. You can negotiate for 20 or 30 EUR, but here no one can guarantee your safety;
  • by renting a car upon arrival in Paris. The price starts from 350 EUR. You can compare prices from different distributors.

By car, the journey will take about 5 hours to La Rochelle.

Clue:

La Rochelle - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Yekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season? When is the best time to go?

I arrived in La Rochelle when it was already very warm, although sometimes the wind blew from the sea, but you could safely walk in summer clothes. The city, of course, is not as popular as, say, Avignon or, but still tourists willingly visit it, as there is something to see there. Moreover, the proximity of Fort Boyard and the Isle of Re make it a tourist attraction, so tourists from France and Europe come here in summer.

The climate here is temperate, maritime. The warm current of the Gulf Stream greatly affects it in these areas.

La Rochelle in summer

Summer here begins in April and goes to the end of September. The temperature during the day rises to +30, +25, and at night it drops to +20. Water temperature +15.

True, sometimes a strong wind can blow, but it is not so strong. The sun shines constantly, so it can be a little hot to walk in the city.

Tourists in the summer head to the islands of Re or Oleron, where you can have a good rest. I will talk about these islands in more detail below. True, on the beaches there, of course, there is nowhere for an apple to fall.

La Rochelle in autumn

In autumn, a period of strong winds and rains begins, when it is simply impossible to go outside without an umbrella. The temperature drops to +15, +10. The ocean becomes restless, and the ebbs and flows powerfully run onto the shore.

Rains can interfere with walks, so it is better to devote this time to visiting museums and historical sites. In early September, you can go to the yacht exhibition, and in October - to the Jazz Festival. There are very few tourists at this time.

La Rochelle in spring

Spring comes already in March, when the sun gradually peeks out of the clouds more and more often. The temperature rises to +20, +25. It is still too cold to swim, but you can already safely go for a walk in the Old Port, where you should no longer be afraid of strong splashes of water and waves.

There are still few tourists in the spring. We just arrived in the month of April, and it was even very warm. You can safely walk around the city or go to the island of Oleron - see the castle there or go to the Palmyre Zoo.

La Rochelle in winter

There is no snow here in winter. True, heavy rains and winds spoil the picture. The temperature at this time drops to +10, +5. Rarely is 0. The weather is more like Russian late autumn.

This time of year is not the best time for walking. It is also better to go to museums, and in the evening go to one of the restaurants in the city. This is the low season, so there are either no tourists in La Rochelle at all, or very, very few.

La Rochelle - monthly weather

Clue:

La Rochelle - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

As I already wrote, I lived in La Rochelle in the house of a French family. It was free, as I traveled as part of a student exchange program between a college in this city and the University where I studied.

On the map, I marked two areas where hotels in the city are concentrated - in the center and on the periphery.

As for housing, the choice of hotels here is quite wide. Much depends on your budget and the area where you want to live. You can book on, but you can check if there are better prices somewhere.

  • If you take center La Rochelle, then there are a lot of options. For example, Novotel La Rochelle Centre, Ibis Styles La Rochelle Centre, Château Demeure Hôtel, Mercure La Rochelle Vieux Port Sud or Ibis La Rochelle Vieux Port. They are convenient because all major attractions are within walking distance.

  • On periphery you can choose more budget options - Hôtel Première Classe La Rochelle Centre, Ibis budget La Rochelle Centre, Ibis La Rochelle Center Historique. These hotels are no longer so close to the center, but thanks to an extensive bus and taxi system, getting to the center is not difficult.

As for hostels, these are essentially the same hotels, but without stars. Cost and service are about the same. Accommodation options in apartments can be found.

What are the prices for holidays?

Accommodation prices start from 50 EUR per room, depending on the hotel you choose. Most Wi-Fi is free.

As for food, buying a bottle of water and a couple of ready-made sandwiches in a supermarket will cost 5–7 EUR. Lunch or dinner in a restaurant - from 15 EUR. Drink coffee with a bun in a cafe - from 5–10 EUR.

Buses that run around the city are also inexpensive - from 1 EUR per ticket. A taxi will cost 15–30 EUR.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub

Main attractions. What to see

La Rochelle is a very interesting, ancient city. To open all its secrets and secrets, it will take at least 2-3 weeks. There is also a well-preserved, medieval part and ultra-modern museums.

Be sure to go for a walk in the Old Port and the Old Town. They are close to each other, so you can combine visiting both places in one day. I did so.

Top 4

When you come to La Rochelle, you immediately understand that this is a city where it is easy and interesting to spend a whole week. It was founded in the 10th century, and its history is closely connected with the religious reforms in France.

old port

When you start walking around the city, you first of all start the tour from the Old Port. The towers of St. Nicholas and Shen, guarding the entrance to the port, are a kind of hallmark of the city.

These were not just fortifications designed to protect the city from possible enemy attacks, but also prisons for prisoners.

There is also a third tower - Lantern or Quatre-Sergeant, but they are separate from the first two. A single ticket is bought for all three towers. It costs about 9 euros. You can climb to the very top of the tower and walk along the fortress walls. From there you have beautiful views of the whole city around.

Tower opening hours:

  • from January 2 to March 31 - 10:00–13:00 and 14:15–17:30;
  • from April 1 to September 30 - 10:00–13:00 and 14:15–18:30;
  • from October 1 to December 31 - 10:00-13:00 and 14:15-17:30.

Fort Boyard

One of the world's most famous sights of La Rochelle is located far from the city, in the ocean - this is Fort Boyard. It was built in the middle of the 19th century, when relations between France and England were very tense. It is located between the islands of Ile d "Aix and Oleron. Small tourist boats depart there. The ticket price is -20 EUR. Travel time is about 2 hours.

On a boat, they usually bypass the fort itself from all sides, and then go to the island of Aix. Unfortunately, you can’t go inside, because games are still being held there.

Old city

When you walk along the Old Port, go to the Great Clock Tower, through which you will enter the Old City.

There you can feel as if you are in the Middle Ages, as there are still small, narrow streets paved with cobblestones. On both sides - shops, cafes, restaurants. You can also find a good perfume shop in the city.

Aquarium

The city also has one of the largest Aquariums in Europe. I went there. The ticket costs about 16 EUR. For children from 3 to 17–12 EUR. For children under 3 years old - free of charge. It is very large, and there you can see a lot of representatives of the marine fauna.

As you go from room to room, you will see many of them. There are even small sharks that swim in an aquarium made in the form of a long, transparent arch.

When you pass all the halls, then go out into a small indoor park, which presents a tropical forest.

It is open daily: from October to March - 10:00-20:00; from April to June - 09:00–20:00; from July to August - 09:00–23:00; in September - 09:00–20:00.

Beaches. Which is better

In La Rochelle itself, in the city center, there are beaches, but I do not advise you to go there. The fact is that the beaches in the city are a kind of meeting place for local youth. During the day they play volleyball or just walk.

But in the evening they gather there to skip a couple or more bottles of beer. As you can imagine, they don't tend to clean up after themselves. Therefore, during the day, in the sand, you can easily stumble upon broken bottles.

It is best to go to the islands of Re or Oleron, which I will discuss below.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

  • Pretty simple on the outside Cathedral of Saint Louis dates from the middle of the 18th century. Although the building claims to be Baroque, this style is rather typical of Larochelle. It was the influence of Protestants who lived in large numbers in the city and preached modesty and moderation in everything.

  • One of the oldest in the city Church of Notre-Dame-de-Cugnes, built in 1077. It is a simple building without any architectural frills, with a tall black spire reaching upwards. Nearby is the eponymous cemetery.

  • small Chapel of Notre Dame d'Esperance, which, as it were, is squeezed between two houses on a small street, it may not even attract your attention if you pass by. However, inside you can find the real elements inherent in the neo-Gothic style.
  • Church of the Savior, on the Mobec embankment, next to the Old Port, is also quite interesting not only for its old, massive tower, but also for its interior decor. Be sure to pay attention to rose windows, as well as other interesting architectural elements, such as columns, etc.

Of course, there are many other churches in La Rochelle, but I have described only those that are of historical value and may be of interest to tourists.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

During our trip, we went to the Museum of Natural History and the Maritime Museum. I just didn't have enough time for the rest, as we attended college classes. My friends managed to go to others, so I have an idea about the rest.

Something, and La Rochelle is rich in museums. When I arrived in the city, I had no idea how many of them there are.

Museum of Natural History

Let's start with one of the most interesting - the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle. It is very large with many rooms. First, you pass through the halls, where stuffed animals from all over the world are exhibited.

Then the halls dedicated to the cultures of the peoples of Central Africa, Oceania and America begin.

I really liked the museum. Moreover, there is a very picturesque park nearby.

The ticket costs 6 EUR for adults. For children under 17 - free of charge.

Schedule

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

Opening hours
  • from Tuesday to Friday - 09:00–18:00;
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays - 14:00–18:00;
  • first Sunday of the month - 09:00-18:00 (from October 1 to June 30) and from Tuesday to Friday - 10:00-19:00;
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays - 14:00–19:00;
  • first Saturday of the month - 14:00–21:00;
  • first Sunday of the month - 10:00–19:00 (from July 1 to September 30).

Maritime Museum

Another museum that I really liked is the La Rochelle Maritime Museum. It is arranged on a ship and was used as a mobile meteorological station. It has a collection of more than 8 ships.

The most interesting thing is that there you can go into almost all compartments and cabins of the ship: from the captain's cabin to technical rooms.

Ticket price - 8 EUR. For children from 18 to 14 years old - 5 EUR. Free admission for students, the disabled and the unemployed.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 18:30.

Museum of Fine Arts

If you prefer painting, then welcome to the Museum of Fine Arts La Rochelle. There are works by local artists, as well as French and Italian artists.

Ticket price - 6 EUR, and 4 EUR - for children under 18 years old.

Opening hours
  • from October 1 to June 30 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) 09:30-12:30 and 13:45-17:00;
  • from July 1 to September 30 (on the same days) - 10:00–13:00 and 13:45–18:00;
  • on Saturday, Sunday and holidays - 14:00–18:00;
  • Tuesday is a day off.

New World Museum

The city also has a New World Museum. As a seaport, La Rochelle was closely connected by trade, including the slave trade, with the colonies in North America, and then, after gaining independence, with. Therefore, a museum was opened in which you can see household items of the Indians, as well as paintings with views of La Rochelle of that era.

Entrance fee - 6 EUR, and for children under 18 - 4 EUR.

Opening hours
  • from Monday to Friday - 09:30–12:30 and 13:30–17:00, except Tuesday - day off;
  • Saturday and Sunday - 14:00–18:00.

Bunker

Another peculiar museum is the La Rochelle Bunker. This museum tells the history of the city during its occupation by the Germans. There are photographs, videos and other materials thanks to which you can recognize this sad page in the history of La Rochelle.

Ticket price: 7.50 EUR - for adults and 5.50 - for children from 5 to 12 years old.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday - from 10:00 to 19:00.

Museum of Protestantism

La Rochelle was once a purely Protestant city. The city has a museum dedicated to Protestantism. There, in particular, you can see several works by John Calvin.

Ticket price - 4 EUR, from 18 to 23 years old - 2 EUR, and under 18 years old - free of charge.

Opening Hours: Visits are by appointment only.

Automaton Museum

In addition to them, you can go to the Automaton Museum, which has a collection of various automata from all over Europe, dating back to 1900.

Entrance fee - 12 EUR and 8 EUR - from 3 to 17 years.

Opening hours
  • school holidays - 10:00–12:30 and 14:00–19:00;
  • the rest of the time - 14:00–19:00. July and August - 09:30–19:00.

Also, on the same street, is Museum of the Reduced models or toys. Its rates and schedule are the same as those of the Automaton Museum.

parks

  • One of the most beautiful parks in La Rochelle, which I stumbled upon quite by accident - Charuier park. It is also called Parc Monceau La Rochelle (Monceau Park is one of the most picturesque parks in Paris).

This is not only a park, but also a zoo. Peacocks roam there, and there are roosters and hens in the pens. It is very well maintained and clean. Walking there is pure pleasure.

  • I also recommend going to Frank Delmas park, named after a member of the resistance, who was shot during the Second World War. There is a Memorial in honor of those who died during the First World War. There are also very picturesque views.

tourist streets

The tourist street of La Rochelle is the promenade Cours de Dames, along the Old Port, and leads to the Old City. Having passed through it, you can immediately kill two birds with one stone - see the Old Port with towers, and then go to explore the old part of the city.

There are open cafes where it is very pleasant to sit under umbrellas that protect from the sun. A light breeze blows from the bay, so you can not be afraid of the heat. If it rains, you can go to the interior of the cafe. From there, a beautiful view of the port and yachts in the road opens. We sat there one day after class. A very pleasant place.

What to see in 1 day

If you came to the city for only 1 day, then here is an approximate daily routine:

  • 07:00 - arrival in the city, a walk in the Old Port;
  • 08:00–09:30 - a walk in the Old City;
  • 09:30–10:00 - breakfast;
  • 10:00–12:30 - visiting the Maritime Museum and a walk nearby;
  • 12:30–13:00 - dinner;
  • 13:00–14:00 - visits to the Museum of Natural History;
  • 14:00–17:00 - boat trip to Fort Boyard;
  • 17:00–18:00 - dinner in one of the restaurants;
  • 19:00 - departure.

What to see in the surroundings

In the two weeks that I was in La Rochelle, for the weekend we went to the outskirts of the city, where, as it turned out, there are several interesting places to visit.

Palmyra Zoo (77.7 km)

First of all, this, of course, is the Palmyra Zoo, which is an hour's drive from the city. You can only get there by car. But next to it there are two free parking lots where you can leave it.

This is a huge park. His visit took us almost three hours. And if the presentation of fur seals had not yet been canceled, then all 4. Animals from all over the world are collected there - from monkeys to penguins. They live in interestingly designed enclosures.

Rates: for adults - 17 EUR; for children from 3 to 12 years old - 13 EUR; for children under 3 years old - admission is free.

Schedule: from April 1 to September 30 - from 09:00 to 19:00. From October 1 to March 31 - 09:00–18:00.

Brouage Fortress (51.6 km)

Also an hour's drive from the city, closer to the island of Oleron, is the former fortress of Bruage. It was founded in the 16th century. The fortress was built on swamps, so the foundation of the building is made up of almost three layers of stones underground. The citadel is large and occupies a fairly large area.

The visit can take almost an hour and a half, and it's free. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00. Nearby, on Sundays, they hold a fair where they sell all sorts of old things.

Château d'Oléron (31.9 km)

On the island of Oleron, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge, there are the ruins of the castle of Oleron. The inner chambers, of course, have not been preserved, but all the walls and fortifications are in excellent condition. Walking there will take about 2-3 hours. At the same time, you can see the island of Oleron itself.

Admission is free and it is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

nearby islands

I have been to two of the three islands listed here. Most of all I was impressed by the island of Re - there are very beautiful beaches. It was like being on an island in the Caribbean. I saw Ex only from the board of the pleasure boat, on which we traveled to Fort Boyard.

Oleron

Since I ended the previous section with the mention of the island of Oleron, I will start with it. This is a very large island, very close to the city. You can get there by car or buses. In summer, this is one of the favorite holiday destinations for the French due to the large number of sunny days, relatively low prices and the long beaches.

Re Island

Another more popular island is, of course, Re Island. I really liked it, because there are very clean beaches, which are so nice to walk on. It is connected to the mainland by the Île de Ré bridge. Regular buses go there every hour from La Rochelle. The cost is about 11 EUR.

There are many historical monuments dating back to the 17th century. Of the museums there is the House of Platinum, which houses an exposition dedicated to ships. Therefore, you can go there not only to soak up the beach, but also go to see historical sites.

Aix Island

Not far from the island of Oleron is the island of Aix. There are also many remains of fortifications, as well as the towers of the lighthouse, which was built back in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is not connected to the mainland in any way, so a ferry runs there several times a day. The cost is about 25 EUR.

Food. What to try

  • Since La Rochelle is a seaport, be sure to try seafood and fish dishes in the restaurant. For example, perch in coriander sauce or breaded cod. Oysters and mussels in all forms. Mussels are used to make a typical dish for this area - Muklad in Charente style.

  • As for desserts, it is undoubtedly worth remembering Charente galette. It's a cake that looks like a manna.

There are a lot of different restaurants or cafes in La Rochelle, for every taste and color. It's nice to sit somewhere near the Old Port and, watching the ships, slowly drink coffee. As for the Old Town, I do not advise you to choose cafes or eateries there. We went there to one such place. Dirty, dusty, and there were no visitors there, probably for 100 years.

Budget

  • La factory a burgers suitable for those who prefer fast food, and the price category of this place is quite suitable for people with an average budget.
  • For 20 euros you can have a quiet lunch in a restaurant La fleur de Sel. Fish and meat dishes, as well as various salads, are very good there.

  • 44 offers good sandwiches. This place is perfect for those looking for a quick and cheap meal. You can keep within 10 euros.
  • 15–20 EUR - average price tag in a restaurant Le soleil brille pour tout le monde. This restaurant is good for a family or romantic dinner.

  • Captain Ice is the perfect place to taste great ice cream. Lots of flavors, clean and nice environment inside and good prices (10 EUR on average).
  • The famous pub- also a good place where you can easily and cheaply eat burgers with french fries.

  • Le Merluchon - Fish & Chips- very tasty fish dishes and a pleasant environment will give you a good time. You can dine for only 8–10 EUR.
  • Loussa Pizza- For those who love pizza, this is a great place. The pizzas are big and very tasty. Prices are also pleasant - 8–10 EUR.
  • For 18 euros you can have a very tasty meal in L "Epi de Blé. There are excellent pancakes with different fillings.
  • Café de la Corniche offers magnificent sea views with delicious dishes and average prices of 10–15 EUR.

Intermediate level

Among institutions of this type, the average price tag will be 30–50 EUR. But the quality of both food and service is much higher.

  • Le saveur vivre is one of those restaurants. Stylish environment and quiet place. Prices are reasonable for this type of food.

  • Les Perot-Quais perfect for a romantic or family dinner. The service there is very good, and the atmosphere is even better.
  • L "Amaranthe- Vegetarian dishes and delicious desserts are its advantage. You can eat for only 24 euros.
  • Le comptoir de Walter- dishes, both fish and meat are very good. Portions are large and well worth the price.

  • If you want a quiet and pleasant lunch, then go to Aux tours de la perot. The food is homemade and very tasty.
  • Ty Breiz- a restaurant where you can taste delicious pancakes.
  • L "affaire de gout- a good place if you are traveling with children. And for adults, there are excellent duck dishes.
  • Le comptoir Saoufe offers fresh seafood - oysters and mussels, as well as fish dishes.
  • Le Thiers temps Perfect for couples, families or groups of friends. Small room, fast and quality service, as well as excellent dishes.

  • For those who cannot imagine their life without land and abroad: then look into Hattori.

Expensive

The average price tag in such restaurants in La Rochelle ranges from 80 to 150 EUR.

  • For example, in Christopher Coutanceau The food is quite in line with the prices. As for the wine list, it is beyond praise.

  • Les flots offers an excellent variety of wines as well as excellent service.

  • L "Entracte Suitable for those who love seafood or fish dishes. The ingredients here are fresh and high quality.

  • Les 4 Sergents- a great restaurant for those who want to spend time with family and children. Wines of high quality.
  • La suite is located in a place that looks like a purely American style loft. As for the menu, it is varied and pleasing to the eye.
  • Nomadis Traiteur- an excellent restaurant where you can eat delicious food, enjoying the excellent environment and service.

  • Les orchids- Here you can try excellent sushi, seafood, as well as fish and meat dishes.

Holidays

  • Every year, at the beginning of September, during the week Exhibition of yachts, ships and other vessels. To see them, go to the Porte de Plaisance.

  • In July you can go to Francofolia Music Festival which takes 4 days. This festival helps to reveal young talents. It passes next to the towers of La Rochelle.

  • In the same month, only at its beginning, approximately 10 days, International Film Festival. At the festival, you can watch both good retrospectives and modern films. This is the second most popular film festival in France, after Cannes. It takes place in the great hall at the Méga CGR.

  • In October, for jazz lovers, Jazz Festival La Rochelle. It passes near the towers of La Rochelle, for about a whole week. Concerts here are not only paid, but there are also free ones. There are also master classes, etc.

Safety. What to watch out for

La Rochelle is a rather pleasant town, but at night you still need to be more careful and not walk along the small streets. A lot of drunken youth gather on the beaches, so it’s better not to go there in the evening. The old city is also not the best place for partying at night.

Things to do

In addition to visiting museums and other historical monuments, you can go for a walk on a yacht. True, this is an expensive pleasure - from 350 EUR per hour. You can also try sailing. The price will be about the same. If you need, among other things, to undergo training, then it will be more expensive - from 500 EUR.

Shopping and shops

There are quite a few interesting and good shops in La Rochelle where you can go. For example, in the Old Town there are a lot of shops where they sell different things - from jewelry to antiques. There, quite by accident, I came across a good perfume store, where they sell not popular brands, but real, French ones. Prices - from 35 EUR.

I also really liked the Miss Coquines store - it's a clothing store in the city center. Prices - from 15 EUR, and the clothes are quite high quality. Many of my girlfriends bought there in full. Not far from it there is a shop that sells clothes and jewelry of Japanese brands. There I bought myself ballet shoes for only 30 EUR, but they served me for almost 3 seasons.

Bars. Where to go

There are quite a few bars in La Rochelle. Among them there are very pleasant places where you can have a cheap drink. For example, La taverne de Tasdon,L "escale du Plessis, L"Entourage- here are nice places where you can go to try interesting cocktails for 10-15 EUR.

  • O P "tit Cozy- there is a large selection of excellent wines, the price of which starts from 15 EUR.
  • Le Casier de La Rochelle- a great place where you can have a good rest after walking around the city. It is located on the waterfront Georges Simenon. From there you have a beautiful view of the port.
  • Le vinophone- a good place where you can not only taste excellent wines, but also have delicious food. Prices - 25–30 EUR.

Clubs and nightlife

  • On Karm Street you can go to a good club Triolet ( Le Triolet Club). It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 23:00 to 07:00. Closed only on Sunday and Monday. Drinks cost from 10 EUR.

  • Oxford Club open from Wednesday to Sunday, without a break. There is different music: both hip-hop and disco. There are two halls in total, and the average price tag is from 10 EUR.
  • Le White Rabbit- a club in the city center, which is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 23:00 to 06:00. Entrance - paid (10 EUR, for this amount you can then take a cocktail at the bar). Additionally, you will have to pay for the use of the wardrobe - 2 EUR. Tuesday and Wednesday admission is free. On Thursday - entrance only 5 EUR. On Friday and Saturday - admission is free for girls all night and until 2 am, respectively.

  • Another club Le Blackout- accepts visitors from 23:55 to 06:00, from Tuesday to Saturday. Themed parties and incendiary discos are held there. Prices - from 10–15 EUR.

  • small club La Cotte de Maille. The room is small, but quite comfortable. It operates from Thursday to Sunday, from 01:00 to 05:00. The cost of drinks - from 10 EUR.

extreme sports

There is a scuba diving club in La Rochelle where you can sign up for 160–140 EUR. Experienced instructors will teach you the necessary skills and abilities for safe scuba diving. It is located on Leons Maillot street and is called Subaqua Club La Rochelle.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

  • La Rochelle is a major city that produces salt. Therefore, among the souvenirs that are sold in souvenir shops, there are a lot of bags of salt, boxes with salt and pillows with salt. They cost from 5 EUR.
  • Sold with salt cookie. They cost from 10 EUR. You can buy both caramel and biscuits.
  • Choose from drinks Vino or cognac there. Charentes wines are also very good. A bottle costs from 10 EUR.
  • In addition, souvenirs are quite standard - magnets, mugs, etc. Prices - from 2 EUR.

How to move around the city

It is convenient to travel around the city by bus or taxi. There are also many bike paths in the city. There are also city stations where you can rent a bike. Cost - from 6 EUR. Bike rental stations:

  • greenbike;
  • Cyclo Park;
  • So Cyclec etc.

They all have websites so it's easy to find exact rates and addresses.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi in La Rochelle is quite easy to catch. Cost - from 40 EUR.

Buses

Bus lines in La Rochelle are numerous. For example, there are buses Yelo or Illico that go through the city center. Ticket price - from 1 EUR.

I rode the first buses. They are yellow. Tickets can be bought directly on the bus, from the driver. This is a yellow card that needs to be punched in special punchers that are on the bus, next to the entrance.

If you intend to use them often, you can purchase a card for 10-20 trips at once. It will cost about 30 EUR.

There are very narrow streets in the Old Town, and you have to be careful there. There are also pedestrian streets, so pay attention to the signs on the roads.

La Rochelle - holidays with children

If you come with children, then be sure to go to the La Rochelle Aquarium. For children there are special stands where everything is colorful and explained in detail. The Museum of Natural History will also be interesting, but for teenagers from 14 years old. A boat ride to Fort Boyard will appeal to both very young and older children.

The city has playgrounds and cafes, and hotels have everything necessary to receive families with children. So coming to La Rochelle with them is a great idea!

Have something to add?

Where is: Poitou-Charentes region, Charente-Maritime department, distance to Paris is approximately 480 km.
How to get there:
- by train: railway station "La Rochelle" is located on bd Joffre. TGV trains leave Paris from Gare Montparnasse 5 times a day. Travel time - 3 hours, ticket price 75 euros. From Gare d'Austerlitz train station 2 times a day. Travel time 5 hours, ticket price 55 euros.
There are trains from Nantes 5 times a day. Travel time 1 hour 45 minutes.
From Poitiers: 9 times a day, 30 minutes, 22 euros.
From Bordeaux (Bordeaux): 6 times a day, 2 hours, 27 euros.

City `s history

La Rochelle is a city and port on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, the administrative center of the department of Charente Maritime, the capital of the ancient province of Onis. It is a lively place frequented by artists. It keeps a slight aura of mystery, so characteristic of those French cities that were built according to the classical canons.

La Rochelle in Roman times.

Founded in the 10th century on a rocky plateau in the swamps, a fishing village with the cozy name of "Little Rock", La Rochelle soon became an important port and fortress that controlled the bay of Aiguion. This was facilitated by the geographical position of the city: the bay in which it was located was swampy and reliably protected from the winds of the west by the rocky island of Re. Gradually, however, with the development of salt mining, winemaking and tax breaks granted by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, La Rochelle became a powerful trading post on the Atlantic.

In the 12th and 13th centuries it was an important city in the network of the Knights Templar, who built a large port in it. To this day, in La Rochelle, there is rue des Templiers, the street of the Templars.

Scientists are still at a loss as to what the ships belonging to the Templars were used for. Indeed, for contacts with England, those ports owned by the Order near the English Channel were quite enough, especially since they were located much closer to the capital. For communication with Portugal, the land route was more reliable, especially for the Templars, who kept all the main arterial roads to this state under their control. Nevertheless, La Rochelle was one of the largest residences of the templars, and seven "roads of the Templars", converging in the port city, led here from all over the country, providing quick and convenient access in case of sudden need. The main road leading out of Paris was well protected and equipped with special points for quick change of horses. The Templars seemed to be waiting for a trick from the authorities and properly secured themselves. And, as we remember, not in vain. When, on October 13, 1308, Philip the Handsome dug out an unprecedented hunt for the knights of the Order, it was here, in La Rochelle, that the Templars managed to smuggle their treasures. Here ships were already waiting for them, ready at any moment to set sail from the inhospitable shores of France. Which is what happened very soon.

Until the 15th century, the city remained the largest French port on the Atlantic coast. During centuries of almost permanent English rule, salt and wine were exported through the port.

La Rochelle is one of the first places in France where the ideas of the Reformation penetrated: openly accepting the ideas, the city became the citadel of the Huguenots, the “Atlantic Geneva”. In 1570, at the end of the third religious war, the city (one of four in the country) received the status of a fortress, in which Protestants were allowed to settle. Here they were guaranteed freedom of religion, which gave the city a short period of prosperity and peace. After Bartholomew's Night in 1572, La Rochelle became the center of Protestant resistance. In 1573, the Duke of Anjou laid siege to the city, but failed to take it, since the English fleet under the command of Montgomery captured Belle-Ile. In the end, La Rochelle capitulated honorably.

The signing of the Edict of Nantes brought several decades of peaceful life to La Rochelle. However, the adherence of the townspeople to Protestantism, close trade and cultural ties with the British (the Duke of Buckingham set up a fortified camp on the island of Re) and after the soldiers of La Rochelle on September 10, 1627 fought against the royal French troops, King Louis XIII ordered a siege La Rochelle. Cardinal Richelieu personally led the operation.

Henri Motte, Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle, 1881

The city was taken into a blockade ring, for which fortifications 12 km long were erected along all its land borders, and a dam (architect Metezo) was poured into the sea, blocking the entrance to the port. Fifteen months of excruciating famine forced the city to submit. Richelieu entered La Rochelle on October 30, 1628, and Louis XIII appeared there two days later. During the siege, 23,000 people died. The 5,000 survivors were spared, although rebel leaders, including mayor Jean Guiton, were forced to leave the city for several months. The trade of the port was destroyed, and the fortifications were torn down.

New persecutions of the Huguenots began, culminating in the repeal of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. Many Huguenots fled the country and founded the city of New Rochelle in 1689 in North America.

Jan Luiken (1649-1712) Flight of 300 Protestant Families from La Rochelle in November 1661)

Like any old port city, La Rochelle is famous for its captains, explorers and pioneers. In the 15th century, ships with colonists sailed from here to Canada, and Jean de Betancourt went to discover the Canary Islands. Delasalle, a native of La Rochelle, became in 1681 the first European to walk from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. R. Gallier also lived here - the first European who returned alive from Timbuktu.

Shipowners from La Rochelle made great profits by trading with Canada and Louisiana, and most of all with the West Indies. They made their fortune in tripartite trade, including selling textiles and buying slaves in West Africa, transporting and selling slaves to the Americas, and profitably returning home with large shipments of colonial goods.

In 1890, a new deep-water port was built in La Pallice, the operation of which did not depend on the level of tides.

During World War II, the Germans established a submarine base at La Rochelle, which was frequently bombed by the Allies. As a result of air raids, the city was badly damaged. He was released on May 8, 1945, after the surrender of Germany - the last of the French cities.

Around town

Part of the rich historical heritage of the city are its medieval houses of half-timbered architecture, rich stone facades with sculptural carvings of the 16th-17th centuries, strict and noble mansions of shipowners of the 18th century. Even during heavy rain, you can safely walk along the old pedestrian streets without fear of getting wet - many of them are covered with arcades, which at one time protected street vendors from bad weather.

There are several ports in La Rochelle: the Old Port (Vieux Port), founded by Alienora of Aquitaine; a deep-sea trading port built at the end of the 20th century; the tourist port of Minim, the largest on the Atlantic coast with 3,000 pleasure yachts; fishing port.

There is a lighthouse in the Old Port on the Quai Velin. The fairway of the western cape of the bay of the Old Port is rather narrow, therefore, in the 14th century, special towers were placed on both sides of its alignment to protect the port: on the western wall - La Chene (Tour de la Chaine, Chain) and on the eastern - Saint-Nicolas (Tour St -Nicolas).

The Saint-Nicolas Tower has a characteristic slope. The reason for it is in the pile supports on which this bulky structure rests: over the past centuries, they have sagged a little, which slightly knocked the tower down. In the massive octagonal Chain Tower there was a drawbridge that allowed the chain to be pulled from the Saint-Nicolas tower, blocking the entrance to the port. They say that it was with these chains that Gargantua was kept in the cradle. The first floor of the La Chen tower now houses a small exhibition introducing the history of the local Protestant community, and an observation deck has been set up on the roof.

You can also climb the five-sided tower of Saint-Nicolas, which is called a fortress for its formidable appearance and powerful walls.

The fortress wall, going west from the La Chen tower, will lead to another tower - the highest (70 mi) Lanterne tower (Tour de la Lanterne, Lighthouse), built in the 15th century in the flaming Gothic style.

It once played the role of a lighthouse: before the advent of electricity, huge candles were lit in a glass lantern at the top of its pyramidal spire to show the way to ships approaching the harbor. Then the lighthouse turned into a prison - in the XVII-XIX centuries, Spanish and English sailors languished here, who left inscriptions and drawings on the walls, which abound in the prison premises. Tours Latern is also called the Tower of the Four Sergeants (Tours des Quatre Sergents): in 1822, the sergeants of the garrison were executed here, plotting the overthrow of the newly restored monarchy.

All three towers and the Musée Orbigny-Bernon can be visited with a single ticket, which is sold in the La Chene and La Lantern towers.

The base of the Gothic tower Gros-Horloge (Tour de la Grosse-Horloge, Sentry) has been preserved since the 14th century.

After passing through the tower gates, we find ourselves on rue de Palais - the main shopping street of La Rochelle. To the east of it, the rue des Merciers runs parallel. Between these two streets, the buildings traditional for the port city have been preserved. Medieval houses with slate cornices and arcades to keep out the rain, Renaissance mansions, 18th-century stone buildings, gargoyle gutters.

The eastern harbor of the Old Port is occupied by the Le Gabus quarter. From the south it adjoins the harbor of Flo (Bassin a Flot), passing into the harbor of Chalutiers (Bassin des Chalutiers), where the research vessel of Jacques-Yves Cousteau "Calypso" is permanently laid up.

As often happens in France, antiquity easily coexists here with ultra-modern buildings. A completely new city has grown up between the sea and the historic city center, embodying cutting-edge technology. Its main theme is "Man, Sea and Water".

Numerous beaches stretch along the coast of La Rochelle, equipped with modern resort facilities, including balneological ones.

From La Rochelle through a 3-kilometer openwork bridge (toll) you can get to the island of Re (Ile de Re).

In former times, the main occupation of the inhabitants of this flat, intricately indented island was fishing and salt mining. The island captivates with its white fishing villages, whose narrow streets are overgrown with mallow, sandy beaches at the foot of low dunes and traditional ports with elegant pleasure yachts.

Events

La Rochelles are creative people, and the city often hosts cultural events and celebrations. In June, an international film festival is held here, in July - the Francofolia French song festival. In September, the largest European maritime show, Gran Pavua, entertains local residents and visitors to the city. This city also hosts an international festival of films and paintings on maritime themes.

La Rochelle in art

The city is famous for the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, whose characters take part in the siege of La Rochelle (chapter IX). In the Soviet film adaptation, the fortress in the city of Khotyn (Ukrainian SSR) was "filmed" in the role of La Rochelle.

The port of La Rochelle served as a filming location for the films "Das Boot" ("The Boat") by Wolfgang Petersen and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" by Steven Spielberg.

In La Rochelle, the action of Georges Simenon's novel "And yet the hazel grows green" takes place.

The siege of La Rochelle is also described in the story of Prosper Merimee "Chronicle of the times of Charles IX"

La Rochelle (France) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of La Rochelle with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of La Rochelle (France)

La Rochelle is a city in western France in the New-Aquitaine region. This is an old port with a picturesque harbor, which is still surrounded by medieval fortifications and imposing towers. La Rochelle is a beautiful old city saturated with salty sea air. It has a charming historic center full of old buildings. Walking through the old streets of La Rochelle is a journey through different historical eras, from the Middle Ages to the New Age.

Geography and climate

La Rochelle is located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. The city is located in the center of the French Atlantic in the southwestern part of the country. La Rochelle has a temperate maritime (oceanic) climate with cool summers and mild winters.

Practical information

  1. The population is 75.7 thousand people.
  2. Area - 28.43 km².
  3. Currency - euro.
  4. The language is French.
  5. Visa - Schengen.
  6. Time - Central European UTC +1.
  7. The gastronomy of La Rochelle is famous for its excellent fish and seafood dishes. In the vicinity of the old port (Vieux Port) there are many fish restaurants where you can try local dishes (for example, mussels in white wine and creamy onion sauce).
  8. In the bars and restaurants of La Rochelle, you can try an interesting cocktail - white wine with fruit syrup.

Story

La Rochelle was founded in the 10th century. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the city was the base of the Templars, who built a large port here. Until the 15th century, La Rochelle was the largest port of the French kingdom. During the Reformation, the city supported the Huguenots. A brief period of prosperity lasted half a century. Then the local fleet was destroyed by Charles I of Lorraine. In 1628, La Rochelle was taken by the royal troops and the Huguenots had to leave it.


La Rochelle was an important port during the colonial era. During World War II, a German naval base was built here.

Attractions

La Rochelle has a charming old town that has preserved many magnificent old buildings dating from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. In the heart of the historic center is the town hall, founded in the 13th century. Its building is a prime example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The Town Hall of La Rochelle is one of the oldest in France. The current building was built between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Not far from the town hall, on the small street Bis Rue des Augustins, there is a luxurious mansion of the 16th century, open to the public.

A little further north is the beautiful old Grand Rue des Merciers, where you can see medieval half-timbered houses.


Old port. To the right is the tower of St. Nicholas, on the left - Chain Tower

The Old Port is the oldest and most picturesque part of the city. Most of the buildings and structures here are hundreds of years old, but they are still in very good condition. Narrow streets and light stone houses give this place a Mediterranean charm.

The old port was founded in the 13th century. The surviving towers date back to the 14th - 15th centuries. The highest is the tower of St. Nicholas. It was designed as a defensive fort. The powerful and round tower is called Chain. In the Middle Ages, a chain was attached to this tower, which blocked the mouth of the harbor.


The lighthouse tower (Tour de la Lanterne) is located a little to the side of the entrance to the harbor. It was built in the 15th century and is a magnificent medieval building with a high spire, on top of which there was a massive torch. During the Reformation era, the tower was used as a prison for the Huguenots. In the 17th century, pirates (corsairs) were imprisoned here. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the tower was used as a garrison prison. Now it is a historical monument.

An interesting place for the curious is the Aquarium, which contains about 600 species of various creatures from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, as well as the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.


The clock tower (Big Clock) is a gate that separated the old port from the city. They were built in the 12th century during the construction of the first medieval walls. Initially, this building had two arcades for the passage of pedestrians and carts, but in 1672 they were combined into one. In the 15th century, the gate was crowned with a bell tower. This structure acquired its current form after 1746.

Gothic bell tower from the 15th century, which belonged to the church of St. Bartholomew, where every year the elections of the mayor of the city were held. The church was destroyed in 1568 during the Wars of Religion.

Notre-Dame-de-Cougnes is a Catholic church with a tall Gothic bell tower. It was founded in the 12th century as a small chapel. During the Reformation, the church was destroyed and rebuilt in 1653.


The Cathedral of St. Louis is the main Catholic church of the city of La Rochelle. It is an impressive building in the style of classicism architecture. The church began to be built in 1752 and completed only after 115 years.

The Church of Saint-Sauveur is an imposing religious building in the style of Louis XIII architecture, built at the end of the 17th century on the foundations of medieval churches.

  • The Natural History Museum is a fascinating museum built in the 18th century. It is one of the best places in France where you can get acquainted with the world of natural history. On an area of ​​2300 sq. m. presents an amazing collection of almost 10,000 items found by naturalists and ethnographers from around the world.
  • Museum of the New World, housed in an 18th-century mansion. It contains magnificent expositions that reveal the world of shipowners and their great wealth.
  • Museum of Fine Arts, which displays about 900 paintings and drawings from the 15th to the 20th century.
  • Maritime Museum at the docks. It is a fleet of eight ships, on which visitors can take a walk.
  • The Protestant Museum is a rich collection of historical information on the struggle of the Huguenots from the Reformation period.