LOVELY, LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE.

Southwestern France.

12.08.2020

LA ROCHELLE FRANCE. Axe hotel, 2 star and comfy.

I arrived at La Rochelle in France,SNCF rail station in a November. I walked a short distance to my hotel the Axe 2 star hotel, comfy and modern. The Vieux Port is just a 5 minute walk., from the hotel. -- --La Rochelle is in Southwestern France it is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The Vieux Port is the Old Harbour, with 3 medieval towers. St Nicolas tower and the Chain tower
opposite. The Lantern tower, which was under scaffolding is further along. The Chain tower is from 1384, a chain was streachted across the port entrance to stop ships entering illegally. --- The Gross Horloge gateway is the entrance to the old town. ---There are two
lighthouses on land.--- The Maritime Museum is onboard a ship. --The cathedral is called the Cathedral of St Louis de la
Rochelle. --- During the Second World War La Rochelle was occupied by German Troops. There were 20,000 troops in La Rochelle and surroundings. There was a submarine base here. In the centre of town is an old German Bunker built in 1941, today it is a underground museum, telling the story of La Rochelle during the War.----- A bit more history--The early French settlers of Canada set sail from La Rochelle in the 17th century. ------ There is a Airport here .--The rail station connects with Paris,Nantes , Bordeaux,
etc.-------------------I took a short trip to ROCHEFORT, about 20 minutes on the train. Rochefort was a military town till 1926.
not really a tourist place, still worth a visit. ---- I enjoyed my time in La Rochelle, and would love to visit
again.img=https://photos.travellerspoint.com/935071/e27ba940-dc9e-11ea-93f2-0d87b9eaf2db.jpg]