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Before starting, let's see what is important to visit. City
Hall, the House of Henri II and the hotel de la Bourse. A visit to the harbor
via the Porte de la Grosse Horloge, is certainly worth the detour.
Let's start from the rue Fleuriau. The former bureau du
Tourisme changed into the Musée du Nouveau monde illustrating the commercial
ties between La Rochelle and Canada.
Leave the building to the right and we will be suddenly in the
main artery, of old town ,next to the CATHEDRAL, a heavy facade, style Louis
XIV. In the rue Gargoulleau lies the Musee des Beaux-Arts with not such an
interesting collection. Walk along the place Verdun, under the arcades towards
the CAFE DE LA PAIX. This is a fantastic illustration of the dignified cafe of
La Belle Epoque, with its graceful engraved glass in the facade, chandeliers and
painted ceilings, marble tables with copper edges and red velvet couches. The
gathering place for the upper class bourgeoisie.
The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is along the' rue Albert 1er. It is divided in
two: the Musee Lafaille with corals and shells, primitive art historical
subjects etc....and the Musée Fleuriau:geology, paleontology, zoologie and
prehistoric artifacts.
Go now via the rue Alcide d'Orbigny, right turn into the rue du
Cordouan. This is the oldest neighborhood of the city. You will be on the
Fontaine du Pilori and place du Marché. The Grande rue des Merciers is one of
the most characteristic of La Rochelle, thanks to its numerous galleries, and
16th and 17thn century houses.
Go now to the right, rue de la Grille to the HOTEL DE VILLE. The building has
15and 16th century parts and its remarkable and wonderful decoration. Go inside
to seethe brilliant facade in Italian Renaissance style, and much more
architectural beauties, as well inside as outside. Like the table of Jean
Guiton, the legendary mayor of La Rochelle at the time Richelieu besieged the
city.
Return to the Grande rue des Merciers and making a right through the small rue
St.Michel towards the Temple Protestant, build in 1708 at the spot that the
first protestant services were held in 1563.It communicated with a small MUSEE
PROTESTANT). A littler further lies the church Saint-Sauveur (17-18TH) with a
15th century tower. . Cross the bridge to the old fisher area: Rue
Sardinerie-Rue de la Fourche-Rue Saint Nicolas, at the left rue des
Antiquaires-Place de la Motte Rouge.
From there straight to the TOUR SAINT NICOLAS
This walk continues in next article. |
