The monuments you should see or visit, the museums, the churches, and the surrounding homes bear witness to the originality of Rochellais history through the ages.
Nowadays, La Rochelle’s geographic situation, at the bottom of an Atlantic road, offers a wide range of landscapes:
- An ancient salt-marsh, now a natural reserve inhabited by a number of migrating birds
- The former glacis and moat of the fortifications, now redesigned as a great public park
- A canal built for commerce, now fishing, canoeing and boating spot The soil of La Rochelle and the surrounding area has brought forth a number of products with well-established reputations: The Cognac, the Pineau, oysters, mussels and fish. More recently, the Rex rabbit and ostrich grace our tables.
THE LA ROCHELLE AQUARIUM
Enter the La Rochelle Aquarium’s new dimension. Located downtown, this aquarium, inaugurated in 2001, is one of the largest in Europe. Take a two-hour trip to the bottom of the sea. You will find ten thousand animals from the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Tropics... in three million litres of seawater. Each visit reveals novelties. Free exhibits in the hall and children’s workshops during the school year. Tourism Quality Label and Recognised Facilities for the Disabled. Restaurant with panoramic view on the second floor: the La Rochelle Towers
THE CHAIN TOWER
Tower built between 1382 and 1390: the chain which gave it its name is still kept at the foot of the tower. Permanent exhibition: “La Rochelle, Atlantic capital, Huguenot capital”.
SAINT NICOLAS TOWER
A true feudal dungeon facing the sea, this military building symbolises the strength and wealth of La Rochelle. Nearly 140 feet high, its architecture centres about a labyrinth of staircases and passageways built into the very walls.
LIGHT TOWER, ALSO KNOWN AS “TOWER OF THE 4 SERGEANTS”
Nearly 230 feet high, topped by an eight-sided gothic spire, the tower has always served both as a beacon and a prison. This last function explains the 600-odd graffiti made by British, Dutch and Spanish privateers and by military prisoners. In 1822, two of the 4 Carbonari Sergeants were held there prior to their execution in Paris.
MUSEUM OF AUTOMATA
La Rochelle’s Museum of Automata is the first of its kind in France. It exhibits wondrous works, created by the greatest masters in the field. These ancient figures were collected from all parts of Europe, after 30 years of research. Building up this immense collection, one piece at a time, required purchasers to frequent sales rooms, visit antique dealers, or climb into the lofts of the greatest Paris, London and Berlin stores. 300 moving characters in an original setting: old and modern automata, animated window-dressings, historical figures.
NEW WORLD MUSEUM
Located in a magnificent private hotel dating back to the XVIIIth Century, the New World Museum’s collections illustrate the relation France has kept with the Americas since the XVIth Century, when La Rochelle was one of the main ports for trading with and emigrating to the New World.
La Rochelle tourist information centre
2 quai Georges Simenon – 17 025 La Rochelle
Tel: +33 (0)5 46 41 14 68
Website: www.larochelle-tourisme.com
Email: accueil@larochelle-tourisme.com
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