Photos

March 30, 2007
La Rochelle 170300 17000
Charente-Maritime Poitou-Charentes
46.167 -1.150 15 m

The "Carénage" Quay

Founded at the 10th century, La Rochelle is from the 12th century an important port. Equipped before 1137 with broad freedoms by the Duke of Aquitaine, Guillaume X, La Rochelle frees itself from the feudal supervisions. With the end of the 12th century, La Rochelle is managed by a mayor, Guillaume de Montmirail. The trade of the wine and the salt of the Middle Ages until the 15th century, will make la Rochelle the most important French port on the Atlantic. he inhabitants choose the cause reformed at the time of the Protestant coup d'etat of January 9, 1568 and threaten the policy of unification of Richelieu. September 10, 1627, the mayor makes fire the gun on the royal troops. In 1628 Louis XIII and Richelieu besiege the city. After more than thirteen months of seat, La Rochelle yields. The city finds private its privileges. From 1630 at the end of the 17éme century the trade opens out with the Antilles, Canada and the triangular trade. The Revolution give a brake application to the evolution of the city. The creation of one port in Pallice in 1890 will start again the economic activity. The war 1939-1945 will be the occasion for German to establish there an underwater base, which they will not be able to evacuate before the end of the war, contained by the French troops. Since the end of the hostilities, demography reaches 80 000 inhabitants, of great installations were born of which a fishing port and the largest marina of Europe.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rochelle