La Rochelle Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle Cathedral is a Catholic place of worship built in classical style in this Atlantic port city of western France. It follows a Latin cross floor plan with a central nave, side aisles, a projecting transept, and a choir wrapped by an ambulatory corridor.
The Diocese of La Rochelle was established in 1648, and roughly a century later the city commissioned renowned architect Jacques Gabriel to design a new cathedral building. Construction began in 1742, shaping the city's religious and architectural character from that point forward.
The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Louis, the French king, reflecting its importance to the city's spiritual and civic identity. This dedication shapes how locals and visitors experience the building as a symbol of La Rochelle's connection to royal France.
The building is centrally located in La Rochelle and is open to visitors throughout the day on a daily basis. It is helpful to check current visiting hours before your trip, especially if you want to be there at a particular time or for a specific service.
A section of the older bell tower from the former Church of Saint Barthélemy, dating to the 12. century, remains visible and speaks to the long history of worship at this location. This tower even served as a defensive structure during a historical siege, and those marks can still be seen today.
Location: La Rochelle
Inception: 1742
Architects: Jacques Gabriel
Architectural style: classical architecture
Address: Pl. de Verdun, 17000 La Rochelle, France
Phone: +33546411670
Website: http://paroisse-larochellecentre.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=218&Itemid=157
GPS coordinates: 46.16139,-1.15333
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
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.
Maison Henri II de La Rochelle
115 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérance, La Rochelle
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Hôtel de l'Intendance, La Rochelle
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Immeuble, 13 rue Bazoges
103 m
Clocher de l'église Saint-Barthélémy de La Rochelle
60 m
Maison, 4 rue Chaudrier
111 m
Maison, 32 rue Chaudrier
70 m
Maison, 16ter rue Chaudrier
42 m
Maison, 42 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
115 m
Maison, 14 rue Chaudrier
55 m
Maison, 22 rue Chaudrier
35 m
Maison, 4 rue Pernelle
112 m
Maison, 6 rue Pernelle
108 m
Maison, 40 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
109 m
Maison, 1 rue Pernelle
115 m
Maison, 35 rue Gargoulleau, 36bis rue Chaudrier
90 m
Maison, 38 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
88 m
Maison, 34 rue Chaudrier
75 m
Maison, 2 rue Chaudrier
119 m
Maison, 24 rue Chaudrier
37 m
Maison, 26 rue Chaudrier
45 m
Maison, 30 rue Chaudrier
65 m
Maison, 12 rue Pernelle
88 m
Maison, 12 rue Chaudrier
60 m
Maison, 6 rue Chaudrier
103 m
Maison, 20 rue Chaudrier
34 m
Maison, 18 rue Chaudrier
35 m
Maison, 8 rue Chaudrier
84 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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