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The TOUR ST.NICOLAS, despite its 42 m
height, is more a fortress than a tower. Used during a long time as prison. An
outside staircase leads to a vaulted hall.
Loiter now around the whole harbor, via the Porte de la Grosse Horloge and over
the Cours des Dames to the TOUR DE LA CHAINE. This tower owes its name because
of the heavy chain that used to close the harbor. The 14th century tower was
used as powder magazine. For you, tourist, there is a “sound and light” show
about the old La Rochelle, inside the tower.
Take now the rue Sur-les-Murs from the Tour de la Chaine to the Tour de la
Lanterne. This is the only piece from the old city walls, left untouched by
Richelieu.
The TOUR DE LA LANTERNE is younger than the two previous ones. It is crowned by
an elegant lantern, used in ancient times as a light beacon. The tower was also
a prison.You can see inside the tower, hundreds of graffiti from prisoners,
seamen, of which a lot English and Dutch.
You can return now to the Porte de la Grosse Horloge or make following stroll:go
through the Porte des Deux Moulins to the beach and the Promenade du Mail with,
behind it, the War Monument. Gardens and terraces of the casino. are located
between the Mail and the sea. At the other side, all along 2 km, is the Parc
Charruyer, with water fountains and shady lanes. From here you can walk back,
taking the avenue Guyton, into town.
The gothic PORTE DE LA GROSSE HORLOGE used to be the only entrance
into town at harbor side. Behind the tower you have the Place des Petits-Bancs,
named after the benches of money changers (banc means bench) with the statue of
the writer-painter Eugene Fromentin, born in La Rochelle. Look at the corner of
the rue du Temple: a beautiful Renaissance house.
You are now in the busiest street, rue du Palais, with many shops under the
arcades. Left are the shops, right are the public buildings. See the Hotel de la
Bourse, the passage to the Cour de la Commanderie and the cour du Temple with
ancient houses. The Palais de Justice has an impressive façade
Make a left into the rue Fromentin. On the corner with rue de l’Escale is the
pretty Maison Venette, 17th century house of a doctor, with the façade decorated
with bible texts and figures of ancient doctors like Hippocrates, Galienus,
Avicenna. By the way, this rue de l’Escale is worth to look at: the cobbles are
all coming from Canada. They were used as ballast by the ships.
Go back to the rue du Palais which becomes soon rue Chaudrier and make a right
into rue des Augustins. On your right lies the Maison Henri II, built in 1555,
with a wonderful facade decoration: gallery, loggia, frieze and medallions. |
