Culture of La Rochelle. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

La Rochelle is a beautiful city with an abundance of historical sites. Those, who want to stay away from the bustle of big cities and noisy entertainment centers inherent to most popular resorts, would enjoy staying here. Most excursions begin in the port area of ​​the city, next to which a main landmark, the citadel of the 16th century, is situated. Walking through the old port area and observing majestic fortifications, you can go to Cours des Dames, which is considered the busiest place in town.

Near the square there are numerous restaurants, cafes and shops; life never stops here, day or night. The large clock tower is a notable architectural structure. Those are remains of fortifications, in 17th century it has housed city gates. The tower is decorated with a massive bell, weighing more than 2 tons; there was no large-scale reconstruction of the tower from the mid-18th century.

Among the religious sites, St. Louis Cathedral, which was completed in the mid-18th century, points out. It features luxurious facades decorated with graceful columns and pilasters. The interior of the Cathedral is more modest; it holds several important religious artifacts. A striking monument of the Renaissance is Henry II mansion, which was completed in 1555. Large-scale building with a cozy patio, carved cornices and graceful arches strikes with its unique style. There is a beautiful garden next to mansion; a walk there can also bring a lot of fun. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An emblematic landmark is the Pylori fountain located near the waterfront. Centuries ago, it was one of the most important sources of drinking water in the city. The access to the fountain was very difficult, so in 1722 it has been moved to another place. Water was provided to fountain, but it was no longer safe to drink, so after the last reconstruction the fountain has a purely decorative function. A trip to the island of Ré located three kilometers from the coast would be fascinating. The island can be reached by bridge or by boat, on site there are numerous interesting attractions.

In the city, you can find many interesting museums, through which visitors broaden their horizons and have a great time satisfying spiritual needs. One of these is the Musee d'Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle whose collection demonstrating the biodiversity of the world is striking in its size. Behind the cultural institution is a beautiful botanical garden with many interesting tropical plants from which the magnificent aroma comes. The Musée Maritime de La Rochelle located right in the port is a great place for technology buffs. Here they can not only see some ship models but also explore them from the inside.

Le Bunker de La Rochelle is a World War II museum telling the history of La Rochelle port's occupation, during which Germans set up a bunker for Nazi officers here. Here you can find a bar, bedrooms, classrooms, as well as photographs and newsreels. Well, wax figures are installed here so that one can clearly imagine life in those times. The Musee du Nouveau-Monde tells the history of the New World's colonization by France. As is known, French vessels bound for New France (Canada) from La Rochelle port. Those who want to get acquainted with the history of Protestantism in La Rochelle should not ignore the Musée Protestant where the most valuable exhibits are works by Jean Calvin.

Another interesting institution is the Musée des Automates, which has gathered a magnificent collection of 16th-20th century automated dolls. Besides, the cultural center has a separate room with large-scale models of various vehicles. It must be said that this museum is of interest not only to small tourists but also to adults, all thanks to an extensive collection of exhibits and an outstanding design. Art connoisseurs will be interested in visiting the Musee des Beaux-Arts, which contains both works of fine art (executed in different styles, including contemporary art examples) and sculptural masterpieces.

Be sure to follow the news of upcoming events in the Grand Théâtre de la Coursive because it often hosts interesting theatrical performances. Besides, the building itself is interesting for its architecture so it's hardly possible to ignore it. From this perspective, of interest is the Town Hall building (Hotel de Ville), which is the oldest functioning town hall in France dating back 1298. The building has been repeatedly rebuilt, architects added something new over the years - that's how it has managed to change several architectural styles: Renaissance and Gothic, and today you can see the spectacular building in the neo-Renaissance style.