Forthcoming Events

To see and do

La Rochelle

Numerous museums, places of interest, cruises and boat trips will all give you the opportunity to discover this original historical and maritime city. There is the old harbour with its mediaeval towers which protected the sea traffic in the past, and the yachting marina in Minimes, which with some 3,500 boats is the largest on the Atlantic coast and hosts the annual “Grand Pavois” boat show (see forthcoming events). A rich architectural heritage includes sixteenth and seventeenth century timber-framed mediaeval houses with sculpted facades, and grand houses owned by seventeenth century ship owners set on fascinating streets protected by overhanging arcades.  From the 18th century, gems such as the hôtel de la Bourse and la Grosse Horloge add flavour.

Recognised as a world-class venue for yachting and ocean racing, La Rochelle regularly hosts major yachting events; it has been selected from among a large group of French ports to host the yachting in France’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Amongst many other attractions to visit in and around the city:

The Lantern Tower - a 70 m high tower topped with an octagonal Gothic style spire. It served both as a lighthouse and a prison and there are around 600 engravings made by British, Dutch and Spanish, and military prisoners. 

Le Tour de la Chaîne (The Chain Tower) - Constructed between 1382 and 1390, this and a small chain tower destroyed in 1827 were used to block the channel every evening with the help of a heavy chain held between them.

Tour Saint-Nicolas - Overlooking the port, this tower was built during the 14^th century. It’s possible to visit inside the tower: it includes three large octagonal rooms, one on top of the other and surrounded by numerous staircases, galleries, small rooms and a chapel.  There's a splendid view from the top.

The Town Hall – a renaissance building protected by a surrounding gothic wall and housing many artefacts from the past, especially those concerning the siege.

The Aquarium - With 3 million litres of seawater in 65 aquariums housing some 10,000 specimens this is the first of a new generation of big European aquariums.

Musée Maritime, Neptunéa - Visit a fishing boat, weather ship and Jacques Cousteau's research ship, Calypso and stroll along the quays to discover the former fish market and the classic sailing boats.

The town boasts a host of other museums including the Museum Of Scale Models (models, historic scenes, moving model trains & computer automated naval battles); the Automation Museum (some 300 animated characters: antique and contemporary automatons, animated displays and historical figurines); the Perfume Bottle Museum (around one thousand bottles, miniatures and samples, labels and powder boxes, which tell the story of the luxury industry for a century); the Museum Of Natural History And Ethnography (houses numerous pieces brought back by great explorers such as Alcide d’Orbigny, Dumont d’Urville and Pierre Loti); the Museum Of Fine Art (situated on the second floor of the neoclassical bishop’s palace of Grussol d’Uzès; European paintings from the 15^th to the middle of the 20^th century); the New World Museum (housed in a superb 18^th century building called the Hotel Fleuriau, shows the ties that have existed between America and La Rochelle); the Museum D’Orbigny-Bernon (a rich collection of Rochelais earthenware, as well as a diverse collection of Far East art, the museum also tells the history of La Rochelle; the famous siege of 1573 and 1627-1628 and the Second World War).

Natural Heritage:

La Rochelle’s unique position in the crux of a natural Atlantic harbour has created a variety of geographical features:
- Ancient salt marshes - a natural reserve frequented by numerous migratory bird species
- Diggings and fortifications of the ancient town, transformed into green parks
- Old commercial canals now used by anglers, canoeists and ramblers

Within easy access of La Rochelle by bridge or ferry are three “Islands of Tranquillity”, as the locals call them. They are:

Ile de Ré - bridge and ferry access; long stretches of sandy beaches, white cliffs and sand dunes; known for its rich bird life, quaint ports and villages

Ile de Oléron - bridge and ferry access to some wonderful long, sandy beaches

Ile d’Aix - ferry access from La Rochelle and Fouras; there are no private vehicles on the island so take or hire bicycles and explore the beaches and forts in peace.

Also worth seeing or visiting:

Fort Boyard - old prison rising from the ocean, now the setting for a famous TV series. Not accessible, but can be viewed from cruises departing La Rochelle and Fouras.

The Marais Poitevin – hire a punt and paddle/push yourself around the canals, visit the Parc Ornithologique Marais Poitevin, SW of Poitiers, (nature trails where you'll be able to glimpse some 70 bird species), or the Maison des Marais Mouilles Marais Poitevin, SW of Poitiers, (discover the history, flora and fauna of the marshlands of the Marais Poitevin).

Poitiers – Futuroscope – at least a one-day visit needed to see around this science “theme park”.

Rochefort - an old naval port with many military fortifications and also a pretty thermal spa town. 

• Royal Rope factory built in late XVII century. Today it houses a variety of exhibits ranging from ship building to rope making
• the Hermione - replica of ship that sailed to America to assist in the War of Independence under construction
• Maritime Museum exhibits XVII and XVIII century model ships
• House of Pierre Loti is a fascinating house of the famous writer and sailor
• Jardins des Retours is the beautiful garden around the Rope Factory

Saintes – the city dates back to the first century.

• L'Arc de Germanicus built in early first century by the Romans
• Arena - a 20,000 seat amphitheatre built by Romans in the first century
• Les Recollets are the town walls from the IV century on the site of a former convent
• L'Eglise Saint Eutrope is a fascinating church built in 1096. Saint Eutrope converted locals to Christianity
• L'Abbaye aux Dames - the Abbey of the Ladies dates back to 1047. Today it is centre of the Ancient Music Festival and many other cultural events
• Le Cathédrale Saint Pierre - this romanesque church was rebuilt in the XV century with added gothic style

Forthcoming events in the region

A day without your car in La Rochelle - Friday 5th October 2007;  Once again and in an effort to increase awareness of the environmental impact, access to the town centre will be limited to electric vehicles, bicycles and buses. Cars have to use the “parking-relais” and passengers can then catch the free bus. There are numerous displays and exhibitions covering ecology, road safety, electric vehicles, bicycles, fitness etc and even “lunch in the market”. Tel. 05 46 51 78 80.

Grand Pavois 2008

To be held at Les Minimes, La Rochelle.  Wednesday 10th to Monday 15th September 2008.  For further details see the Site : www.grand-pavois.com

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