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La Rochelle - sky guide
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Situated halfway between Nantes and Bordeaux and 460kms away from Paris, La Rochelle is one of the prettiest towns on the Atlantic coast. It is a prime summertime tourist destination, with visitors coming from far and wide to soak up the town’s rich maritime history, enjoy the wonderful beaches and lively atmosphere, and admire the beautiful harbour.
Vieux Port is La Rochelle’s focal point, with two imposing towers guarding its entrance. Running north from Porte de la Grosse Horloge is rue du Palais, which leads to the town’s cathedral. The 70-metre tall Lantern Tower is another interesting structure, crowned with an octagonal Gothic spire; it served as both a lighthouse and a prison in days gone by.
The Hotel de Crussol d’Uzés is a neoclassical episcopal palace which has served as the Museum of Fine Art since 1844. It houses artworks from between the 15th and 20th centuries, featuring artists such as Corot, Doré and Magnelli. The Hotel de Ville is a Renaissance building surrounded by a protective Gothic wall. Inside are exhibits of artefacts documenting La Rochelle’s history.
La Rochelle has no shortage of restaurants or entertainment venues, and by day or night there is always something to keep visitors busy. Sun-worshippers should head to the exquisite beaches stretching from the town along the Atlantic coast, with wonderful swimming and sunbathing options.
A popular daytime bar is the Cave de la Guignette wine bar in quartier du Gabut. For culinary specialties, try the rue du Port/rue St-Sauveur area just off the waterfront, or the attractive rue St-Jean-du-Prot. The best nightlife is to be found at rue St-Nicolas, where many bars line the streets.
Nearby is the fabulous beach of Île de Ré, not to be missed if you’re in La Rochelle during summer. North of the town is the Marais Poiteven, a marshy area with canals and rivers that has recently been declared a national park.
La Rochelle can be easily reached by car. From Paris, the journey is 474kms along the A10 (exit towards the A83 in Niort). From Bordeaux, get on the A10 and exit at La Rochelle; while from Nantes, take the A83 for approximately 150kms. Trains and buses connect La Rochelle to other parts of France and certain destinations in Europe. There are six direct trains a day from Paris. La Rochelle has a regional airport that is connected to various European cities.
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