La Rochelle, Port city in western France
La Rochelle is a harbor town on the Atlantic coast in western France, spread along a sheltered bay. Two stone towers from medieval times mark the entrance to the old port, where boats dock between historic buildings.
In the 16th century the town became a center for Protestants, which led to a long siege by the troops of Cardinal Richelieu in 1627. The siege ended after more than a year with the surrender of the town and the loss of its political independence.
Locals meet under the arcades in the center, where cafés and shops line covered walkways that shelter people from sun and rain. Fishermen sell oysters straight from their boats at the market, while neighbors catch up between stalls.
The old harbor works well for a walk along the quays, where you can see the towers and building fronts up close. The covered passages in the center offer shelter during changeable weather and connect the main streets.
A bicycle sharing system with yellow bikes has been running here since 1976, long before such programs became common in other cities. The bikes are available at many spots around town and are used equally by locals and visitors.
Location: Arrondissement of La Rochelle
Location: Charente-Maritime
Elevation above the sea: 9 m
Shares border with: Aytré, L'Houmeau, Lagord, Périgny, Puilboreau, Rivedoux-Plage
Address: La Rochelle, France
Phone: +33546515151
Email: courrier@ville-larochelle.fr
Website: https://larochelle.fr
GPS coordinates: 46.15944,-1.15139
Latest update: December 3, 2025 08:40
La Rochelle documents over seven centuries of French maritime history through its medieval fortifications and Renaissance architecture. The old port is guarded by three stone towers from the 14th and 15th centuries - the Saint Nicolas Tower, the Tour de la Chaîne, and the Lantern Tower - which once controlled access to the sea. The Great Clock Gate from 1476 connects the harbor front to the old city streets. The city center preserves buildings from the 16th through 18th centuries, with arcaded passages along Rue du Palais and Rue des Merciers. The Fontaine des Pilori dates from the 16th century, while the City Hall features Renaissance facades from 1595. The Musée du Nouveau Monde examines La Rochelle's transatlantic trade connections. The Les Minimes marina now serves more than 5,000 boats, making it one of the largest yacht harbors on the French Atlantic coast. The modern Passerelle Nelson Mandela, opened in 1993, carries pedestrians across the main harbor. Beyond the city center, the bridge to Île de Ré extends roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) across the Bay of Biscay.
La Rochelle and its surroundings offer families a range of activities along the French Atlantic coast. The city itself holds several attractions, including the aquarium with over 12,000 marine animals, medieval towers at the Old Port, and various museums such as the Maritime Museum and the New World Museum. Visitors can walk through the historic center with its Grosse Horloge and Saint-Louis Cathedral or explore the beaches at La Concurrence and Minimes. Port des Minimes provides access to boat trips, while parks like Charruyer Park offer green spaces for relaxation. The region extends to the offshore islands of Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron with their beaches and the Phare des Baleines lighthouse. Inland, attractions include La Palmyre Zoo with over 1,600 animals, Zoodyssée in Chizé, and Court d'Aron floral park in Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais. History enthusiasts can visit the Corderie Royale and naval museum in Rochefort, while Fort Boyard stands as a recognizable landmark off the coast. Natural areas like Pierre Brune park near Mervent and the Rompsay Canal round out the offerings with walking trails and water activities.
Lighthouse at the End of the World
3.2 km
Île de Ré bridge
6.9 km
La Rochelle submarine base
4.5 km
Aquarium de La Rochelle
690 m
Tour Saint-Nicolas
438 m
Gare de La Rochelle
868 m
Tour de la Lanterne
604 m
Hôtel de Ville de La Rochelle
20 m
La Rochelle Cathedral
263 m
Les Minimes
2 km
Tour de la Chaîne
454 m
Musée maritime de La Rochelle
986 m
Port de plaisance La Rochelle
1.9 km
Musée rochelais de la Dernière Guerre
248 m
Grosse Horloge
230 m
Église Saint-Sauveur de La Rochelle
118 m
Café de la Paix
360 m
Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle
597 m
Musée du Nouveau Monde
250 m
Église Notre-Dame-de-Cougnes de La Rochelle
617 m
Parc Animalier Charles-Édouard Beltremieux
786 m
Plage de Chef de Baie
4.7 km
Commanderie de La Rochelle
131 m
La Coursive/Scène Nationale La Rochelle
412 m
France I
917 m
La Rochelle rear range light
311 m
Temple protestant de La Rochelle
122 m
Vieux Marché de La Rochelle
307 mReviews
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