La Rochelle is the historical and cultural capital of the western coast of France, an area that receives almost as much sun as the southern Riviera, and is the favourite beach destination of those less well-heeled in France, who can't afford the high prices of the Riviera. This busy seaport town has 1,000 years of history as an active maritime economy, and has oft been dubbed "the rebel city" due to its uniqueness from the rest of France in terms of religion and politics (it was a predominantly Protestant city when the rest of France was Catholic). Visit the other cities along the coast for sun and sand, and go to La Rochelle for architecture, arts and history.
The Old Port is famous for its iconic, fortified towers. The port has been in operation since the 13th century, and the towers date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The two towers, Tour St-Nicholas and Tour de la Chaîne, served to fortify the town very effectively during the Renaissance, ensuring that the only entrance to the city by the sea was through the two imposing structures.
Stroll the cour des Dames, the wide road that lines the Vieux Port, to take in well-preserved 18th century houses, and take in the covered archways of the narrow streets winding through the old town. There are a number of interesting ways to see the sights of La Rochelle. There is a gastronomic tour available that passes the timbered, medieval houses of the old town and ends with a tasting of local specialties in the town's covered market. The town can also be see on a cycle tour or from atop a horse-drawn carriage.
Along with the architecture, La Rochelle also hosts a number of interesting exhibits and museums. Most entertaining are the Musée des Modèles Reduits and the Musée des Automates. Both museums have large collections of miniatures and models of things like cars, boats, acrobats and trains. The Musée du Flacon a Parfum, houses a collection of over 1,000 unique and historical perfume bottles. Also worth seeing are the La Rochelle museum of natural history and the city's aquarium, located across from the Old Port, and home to over 12,000 sea creatures.
