La Rochelle
Atlantic Port Town Guarded By The Medieval Towers Of The Vieux Port, With Arcaded Streets And One Of Europe'S Larger Private Aquariums · La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
La Rochelle is a lively port on the Atlantic coast of western France, with one of the most striking old harbours in the country. The Vieux-Port is guarded by two medieval towers, Saint-Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaîne, between which a chain was once stretched to close the harbour at night, and a little further along stands the Tour de la Lanterne, an old lighthouse and prison with graffiti carved by captives. The town grew rich on trade with the Americas and was a Protestant stronghold, besieged and starved into surrender by Richelieu in 1628. Behind the port, streets lined with stone arcades lead to the old town hall and a busy covered market. The large private aquarium draws families year round, and boats sail out to circle Fort Boyard and land on Île d'Aix. La Rochelle is also a cycling town and was an early pioneer of free public bikes. In July the Francofolies music festival fills the port, and the Île de Ré bridge is close by.
Vieux-Port, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
The Vieux-Port, the quays, the arcaded streets and the seafront promenades are public and open at all hours, and the port is lively well into the night in summer. The three towers are national monuments run as one visit, usually open daily with longer hours from spring to autumn and shorter ones in winter, and closed on a few public holidays; confirm, and note that last entry is well before closing. The Aquarium La Rochelle is open every day of the year with long hours in summer; it is very busy during school holidays and on rainy days, and buying tickets online ahead has been encouraged. The maritime museum and the town's history and art museums keep their own hours and some close one day a week. The covered market is a morning affair, busiest on Saturdays. Boats to Fort Boyard and Île d'Aix run mainly from spring to autumn, with a few sailings in winter, and can be cancelled in rough weather; book in summer. During the Francofolies in July, hotels fill and prices rise.