La Rochelle Ville is the central train station with TGV connection from Paris. There is also an airport, Aeroport de La Rochelle.
Eurostar
trains between Ebbsfleet International and La Rochelle have average journey times of 7 hours, 20 minutes. High speed rail is a an easy way of reaching La Rochelle as it is faster and more convenient. The best time to book tickets is for travel between late spring and early autumn. It is popular with summer tourists.
La Rochelle is the third most popular area, and most attractive and unspoilt coastal town in France, with a small well-kept beach close to the town centre.
It has a lot of history; the Wars of Religion were particularly destructive. It was beseiged in 1627 by Cardinal Richelieu, because of its strategic importance, after it turned Protestant. The English sent the Duke of Buckingham to help, but he was caught sleeping on the Île de Ré and badly defeated. By the end of 1628, out of the pre-siege population of 28,000, only 5000 survived once Richelieu had starved the city into submission. The walls were demolished and the city's privileges removed.
In the centre is a tree-lined promenade full of street entertainers which comes to life at the weekends and art and crafts stalls. There are many walkways and the majority of the buildings are made of an attractive pale stone.
There is plenty of accommodation and prices are very competitive- some give good views across the harbour, although these rooms are generally more expensive.
Points of Interest
The Old Port
The port can still be seen with the original three towers around the port. These were originally built to protect the entrance. There are 2 basins which now moor a large number of pleasure boats. It was given a charter in 1199 by Eleanor of Aquitaine, which released it from its feudal obligations, and it rapidly became the principal port, trading in salt and wine with the colonies in the Caribbean Antilles and Canada and skilfully exploiting the Anglo-French quarrels. Indeed, many of the settlers, especially in Canada, came from this part of France.
Parks and Gardens
Parc des Peres- with activities for families and children
Parc Charruyer- walks are available about 2km long, with an average area of 98 acres. There is also a small zoo, borders full of rare plants, streams and canals.
Parc de la Porte Royale- situated in the North East and about 6 acres in area, this park includes playgrounds for children
Park of Les Minimes- seaside park with an area of 21 acres which serves as a reminder to the Second World War and is popular with walkers with an excellent view of the whole surrounding landscape
Parc Franck Delmas- this has a large central lawn leading towards a stately home situated at the end of the Allées du Mail
Parc Kennedy- restored in 2007, this is suitable for all ages with a city stadium, childrens’ games and a bowling alley
Attractions
The fireworks for the 14th of July Bastille day celebrations
Harbour cruises
One of Europe's best aquariums
The Hague Main Attractions - The Hague Main Attractions
Mauritshuis
The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis is an art museum in The Hague, Netherlands, it has a large art collection, including painings by Dutch painters such as Johnannes Vermeer and Frans Hals.... Mauritshuis, The HagueMauritshuis, The Hague
Museum de Gevangenpoort
The year 1280. De poort aan het Buitenhof The gate to the Buitenhof vormde de hoofdpoort tot het slot van de Graven van Holland, nu het Binnenhof. was the main gate to the castle of the Counts of Holland, now the Courtyard. In 1428 werd deze Voorpoort van den Hove ook een gevangenis. In 1428, this Court Gate for a prison. It was a prison for four hundred years.... Museum de Gevangenpoort, The HagueMuseum de Gevangenpoort, Tha Hague
The Binnenhof
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The Peace Palace
The Peace Palace is often called the seat of international law because it houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanment Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law and the extensive Peace Palace.... The Peace Palace, The HagueThe Peace Palace, The Hague
