| La Rochelle in France's Charente-Maritime provinceis | | | | harbour itself it is possible to hire a boat and go on a |
| an ideal holiday destination on its own or can serve as | | | | cruise taking in deep lungfuls of fresh air and soaking in |
| a quick detour during a trip to Paris. The city has many | | | | the soothing scenery. |
| Christian tourist sites so for religiously inclined people or | | | | Hiring a car in La Rochelle is an excellent way of |
| scholars wanting to study Christianity-influenced | | | | discovering this magnificent coastal area. Soak in the |
| architecture, La Rochelle is definitely one of the places | | | | sunshine as you hit the open road. Make plans to suit |
| to be. | | | | the entire touring party as you are not tied to any |
| The surroundings of the town are typically | | | | public transport methods. |
| Romanesque, while the Town Hall approached by | | | | The Musée des Beaux Arts of La Rochelle |
| several scenic and tree-lined routes is a beautiful | | | | offer a completely different glimpse into the past with |
| example of Renaissance architecture. The town is | | | | its vast collection of paintings - Oriental, European, |
| peppered with towers and monuments most notable | | | | Christian and secular. The other museums in addition to |
| among which are the Tour Saint-Nicholas, Tour de la | | | | this have exhibits of the botanical kind as well as those |
| Chaine, and Tour de la Lanterne - three towers that | | | | showcasing natural history. |
| were erected to serve as guard towers to the | | | | If you time your visit well, La Rochelle has its share of |
| harbour. | | | | festivals that take place every year. These are usually |
| These towers fall within "Vieux Port", or Old Port - | | | | short festivals of the arts and are highly enjoyable for |
| fittingly named, as it is the oldest part of the town of | | | | budding scholars, critics and anyone with an |
| La Rochelle. Old Port's streets are narrow and the | | | | appreciation of beauty. |
| buildings are made of pale stone which brings out the | | | | Of course like all European towns and cities worth |
| Mediterranean influences on the area. While travelling in | | | | visiting, La Rochelle has its fair share of cathedrals. |
| Old Port keep an eye open for the several clocks and | | | | Each cathedral has a unique legend and story behind it |
| timepieces that are hundreds of years old, but | | | | and exploring them makes for a fascinating |
| impeccably maintained - a living, working reminder of a | | | | experience. |
| past that is still fresh and alive in the area. | | | | Whether for two days or two weeks, the old-world |
| Fairly close to the harbour lies the aquarium, an | | | | charm of La Rochelle is guaranteed to keep you |
| attraction for adults and children alike. Many varieties | | | | satisfied, your senses singing and your heart wanting |
| of aquatic fauna can be found there which are | | | | to return to it again and again. |
| guaranteed to enthrall visitors for hours on end. On the | | | | |