 Le Pont de La Rochelle links it to "Ile" de Ré by Norali | Reviews and photos of La Rochelle attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for La Rochelle sightseeing. La Rochelle Map |
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 Casino of Châtelaillon- Plage by Norali
The kind of beach with geranium pot... I don't remember about activities other than beach- oriented and the casino. It's not innocent if its name is Châtelaillon-Plage. My friend, a local, told me it's really lively in summer, full of beach acitivities: free swimming lessons, beach-volley, aquagym, trempoline as well as mini-golf and croquet.
When I was there (Sep-Oct), it was really calm with just some families walking with toddlers, some on a terrasse facing the sea (and watching the sun).. Really calm.
I appreciated there the setting. In contrary of Belgian coast, Châtelaillon could preserve its urban architecture by forbidding huge buildings along the dam. Orginal nice little villas have been kept. As for colours, they are either white either in pastel tones... See my travelogue for pictures. Leave a Comment
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Like many European cities, LR has its Musée des Beaux-Arts and Musée d'histoire/ histoire naturelle.
This time, I would like to talk about more original themes.
First, Musée du Nouveau Monde. What one refers to Nouveau Monde is the American continent.
The collections of this museum remind the link between La Rochelle, port city and this Nouveau Monde. Commercial links involved the trade of materials, leather, fur, sugar, coffee, wood, slaves and for centuries, salt. Actually, African "comptoirs" were involved in that too... Where traders used to sell materials and buy slaves who woll be shipped to the Nouveau Monde. Those were, for instance, the kind of links. In return, traders used too buy furs, leather (from Canada), cocoa (from Carribean) that they would sell in Europe.
The exhibition is a way to learn about history, the key role La Rochelle played, in fact. But in a less tedious way, with nice old maps, watercolors, drawings from West Indies, Native American (Indian) usual tools.
1200 pieces to see those remote lands (Americas, West Indies) through Rochelais and the traders' eyes.
Collections are housed in a property the ship-owner Fleuriau bought, centuries ago, and whom he gave his name.
Opening hours:
Mon. to Sat.: 10.30 to 12.30 ; 13.30 to 18 pm.
Sun. from 15 to 18pm. Closed on Tuesday. Leave a Comment Address: 10 rue Fleuriau - 17000 La RochellePhone: 05.46.41.46.50Directions: 10 rue Fleuriau - 17000 La Rochelle
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 Boats, yachts.. Grand pavois
is all about that by Norali
Some hundreds of exhibitors would be there to represent their nations, with their newest items: boats, yachts, superspeed engines.
Well, think of huge and superspeed boats as items and not our simple pairs of shoes. Attendants gather both amateurs, newbies as well seasoned professionals. With on-water and on-the-ground displays according to the size of the boats.
Each year, the event has its guest country of honor, 2003 was Danemark year and 2004 would be South Africa's. The guest country would be in highlight, would present a big picture of its nautical sector. Along that, sampling of guest country's specialty food products.
Most interesting stand, I think, is the "Wood village". An area dedicated to longtime forgotten material and that is brought back to the style of the day. Personally, I always appreciated wood for its warmth and tradition. It seems to be the case of shipyards, architects, designers who are involved in research on modern techniques that would allow/enhance the use of wood in shipbuilding. Oddly enough, other categories use to attend the Wood village as well: the antiques dealers and decorators. Well, it's not that odd given that La Rochelle has a lot of those trinkets and antiques shops (see shopping tips)
Plus, demo and free first lessons are given to introduce sailing to newbies.
All of that usually attracts thousands of attendants in Port des Minimes area each year.
Pic of Port des minimes will come soon.
Check the website, it will tell you more. Leave a Comment
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 Tour St-Nicolas and Tour de la
chaîne by Norali
A place, as leaflet says, to "Dream, understand and learn about the sea".
Two levels dealing with the world oceans' species. Plus an under the sea house and a tropical plant greenhouse. Many rooms dedicated to specific species: sharks, turtles, medusa...
Check the website for tarriffs and opening hours".
Worth noticing: the place is fully accessible to disabled persons.
Go if you can. I was in La Rochelle when it was fine for walking and outside activities so hadn't given it a try.
Don't miss Grands Yachts basin in the neighbourhood. It houses some nice engines sometimes...
Picture: Two of the famous towers in La Rochelle: Tour St-Nicolas ( left), Tour de la Chaîne (right).. not on picture: Tour de la Chaîne Leave a Comment Address: Aquarium la Rochelle - Bassin des Grands YachtsPhone: +33 5 46 34 00 00Directions: Near railway stationWebsite: www.aquarium-larochelle.com Other Contact: contact@aquarium-larochelle.com
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 Night light... near the Tours by Norali
The light, the ambience, shadows of buildings on the streets, the dark blue sky.. all of that will enchant you, photographers on here.
Yes, the reflects of enlightened buildings on water are unforgeattable... Because La Rochelle is about that: water everywhere... You'd see that at night as well.
Just one thing: don't imitate Narcisse, spotting your image in water... the encountering with rescue services would just turn your smooth and romantic evening into something more hectic... and pictures would not be available anymore... unless camera is "waterproof". Yet, I doubt many of us would bring diving camera while walking in the streets, sitting in terrasses.. Well, who knows. LOL Leave a Comment Directions: Vieux Port, near the Tours, near Hôtel de ville, Port des Minimes if yachts and boats are all lit up, under Arcades...
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 Le Pont de La Rochelle links
it to "Ile" de Ré by Norali
Locals use to nip over this little island on week-ends to see nature, to cycle on those long cycling paths, to breathe fresh air... to enjoy those desert and lovely beaches.
In Saint Martin de Ré, considered as the "capital town of L'Ile de Ré", some nice restaurants :), shops and wineries .. and "remparts".
Lots of pinewoods and vineyards to make those Pineau des Charentes.
Salt-water marshes where to visit oysters farms, to learn about this old tradition of salt collecting.
Many stuffs to do there. Check my page on IR.
For me, it was a real coup de foudre! Leave a Comment
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 Wooden cabins in Minimes area by Norali
We went there to see the speedboats and the marina but the area in itself is interesting to see with those wooden cabins. From explanation I received from my friend, the wooden buildings are apartments for, most of time, students. I kind of envy them, studying near the sea, near the speedboats. What would be the area while preparing to host races?
Enlarge the pics to see the style of those buildings.
Well, i have to say that what stroke me most was the resemblance of those cabins to the ones in UCL- Woluwé area. UCL- Woluwé is the branch of UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, that is) in Brussels region, Woluwé being a commune of the latter. UCL-Woluwé deals with Medical and para-medical studies (future doctors, dentists, pharmacists...). I studied in this area in the past and I noticed some students of UCL- Woluwé and La Rochelle uni students have similar style of housing: the wooden buildings... but I prefer it in la Rochelle, apartments are close to the beach and sea.
The fact that those buildings are in wood is not that unusual. La Rochelle used to have an area named "Ville-en-bois" (Wood-city). This was a picturesque and initial quarter with wooden buildings. But it paid a huge toll to a big fire in summer 1986 that devastated the wooden city. Then, it had to be rebuilt. Soon, authorities settled La Rochelle University there with many amenities (Uni restaurant, Library, student apartments...), an engineering school, joining the only school that was located in the area.
Besides, the Aquarium, the biggest in Europe, was built in the area too so to make it lively. From those changes (and thanks to the fire?), this area, that had been named "La Rochelle 2" for years, was connected to the old district... Leave a Comment Directions: Minimes area, university area....
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This is the huge tower that dominates the harbour. It's worth climbing up to see it even if just for the good views of the town. Quite an impressive structure, it dates from 14th - 15th Century.
The website below tells you a little more about the town and what you can expect to see. Leave a Comment
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 Hubby standing by the huge
shark tank it's big! by Suet, 4 more photos
The latest exhibit is a small half hemisphere tank containing jellyfish. They are magnified due to the optics of the glass and water, the free floating ones are spotted with an iridescant blue and white tentacles. The ones sunning themselves upside down are orange. 2009.
Please go and see this! you won't be disappointed.
Writing about our May 2009 trip, the prices have gone up by 0.50€ in each section. The adult visit is 13 € children less that 18 years are 10€ and children under 3 years are free. Audioguide is 16.50€ but for children it is 13.50€. Opening times are:
October to March 10.00 - 20.00
April to June and September 9.00 - 20.00
July and August are 9.00 - 23.00 Leave a Comment
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 The jewels in the 1st European
marina by Norali
I saw many locals staring at it though... That must be true! Leave a Comment
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