Novotel La Rochelle Centre

The QUAY

by Toyin

An interesting part of La Rochelle is the QUAY. On the quay are several "Drinking Joints" Where you could sit down close to the boats and have a good discussion or get together with friends. The scenery is simply spectacular.

La Rochelle, capital city of French protestantism

by Norali

Early XII century, English King, Henri II, Aliénor d'Aquitaine spouse, granted La Rochelle with its free town status.

Later on, the port city used to tie up trade links. To England and Flanders, salt and wine were exported whilst wool and materials imported from them. XV century: with Canada, La Rochelle got familiar with fur trading. Les Antilles were its partners in the slave trade.

Economic power resulted from the rise of trading activities. Banks and foreign traders settled in La Rochelle. Soon, this openess to the sea induced the openess to protestant ideology, namely caming from North Europe, whom La Rochelle got acquaintancies with. Besides, Université de Poitiers contributed to the spread of La Réforme. This high-ranking university was really appreciated. Jean Calvin used to meet people in the basement of the university, hiding from Catholic authority. Moreover, religious and ethical aspects (mis-respectful and abusive clergymen), inherent in Catholicism, led people to choose Protestantism.

Protestants then ruled this area. Wasn't La Rochelle a capital city of French protestantism?

Catholic French realm didn't appreciate that and gave the first assault to stop the rise. Royal army didn't succeed so, even with Religion wars (1562-1598), the city remained protestant. Not only, they kept their religious freedom but with the release of L' Edit de Nantes (inspired by Henri IV, protestant king), French people were given the freedom to choose their religion.

When Henri IV died in 1610, this freedom was not guaranteed anymore. Very soon, Louis XIII, his successor, decided to impose catholicism. Independent and rebellous locals resisted to that royal project. Yet, Louis XIII was determined in his action. In 1627, Richelieu gave the final assault by organizing an air and earth blocus. No food entering so to eventually suppress 22 000 of 27 000 Rochelais (!). Remaining 5000 ended up eating rats, grass and human flesh... but catholic! Richelieu epitomizes these 13 months of starvation...

Minimes area

by Norali

Port des minimes, the first European marina.

Lots of boats, yachts... Nice ambience, especially without the crowd. It's just relaxing to stroll along the harbour, hearing seagulls and masts flapping...

This was the marina, one week after the big event of Grand Pavois.

Some place where to keep your boat and yacht. These parking places are not for cars, they are for tows.

Ooh! This pic makes me want to return. For sure, I will return there. For long would I stay? Total mystery. I liked the Old part, the Minimes area, IR... quite everyhting there...

Ditto

The Victorinox boat... It is said to have won a race some days earlier. Not fan enough to ask which race it was... Sorry!

In LR, students have a chance to study in a nice area, clean city center with beach activities. Accomodation for them is not cheap, though... The one who stays there in summer holidays would pay like 4 times the rent he uses to pay during the year. I never understood why... I just knew that visitors can rent students apartments and housing in summer... with this special price...