A century of historic battles has left its indelible marks on the streets of La Rochelle. One glance at a tourist map of La Rochelle with attractions is enough to see that the main places of interest are concentrated in the old port of the city.
Even when it was a medieval fortress, the city was surrounded by a strong rampart, partially preserved to this day. At the entrance to the city's bay were built two watchtowers, Saint-Nicolas and La Chaîne, between which was strung a target. It was raised at night so that the city defenders could not be taken by surprise from the sea. The third tower of La Lanterne was used as a lighthouse. It is now the last surviving medieval lighthouse of the Atlantic.
It is from the panoramic platforms of the medieval towers that you will be able to take the best photos of the city and the sights of La Rochelle. If you buy a single ticket from La Rochelle's tour desk, you can visit all three towers for one price.
The old port itself is one of La Rochelle's most important attractions.
Excursion ships depart from the port for ocean cruises and to Fort Boyard. The excursion to Fort Boyard is a sightseeing tour, without entering the zmiadel.
The fact is that the fort belongs to the movie studio and ships are not allowed to enter there, but you can get a full description of the history and modernity of this attraction of La Rochelle from the booklets and audio guide in Russian.
Other famous sights of the city include the City Hall, located in an ancient castle of the XV century, the Church of St. Sauveur and the Palace of Henry IV.
The small size of La Rochelle has become a real open-air museum. In addition, there are 11 interesting museums, including a museum of marionettes, a museum of models, a museum of perfume bottles and a museum of fine arts.
A description of all the sights of La Rochelle is available at the regional tourist office, located in the former Palais de Justice. In addition, we strongly advise you to download a map of La Rochelle with the names of the sights, which will make it easier for you to walk around the city on your own.
