INN DESIGN HOTEL LA ROCHELLE

THE OLD HARBOUR

The old historic harbour is known throughout the world mainly on account of the two towers which guard the entrance to it: the Tour St-Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaîne. The Tour St-Nicolas was built in 1372 after the city's liberation from English domination, and it is a symbol of the city's sovereignty. Its role was to protect the harbour from the perils of the sea. A chain used to be drawn across the entrance to the harbour from the Tour de la Chaîne to the Tour Saint-Nicolas every evening to prevent boats from entering. This tower was also used as a gunpowder store. Now there is an exhibition there about migration to New France (France's former North American colonies) to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Quebec.

LA ROCHELLE AQUARIUM

Situated in the heart of the city, this is one of the most important private aquariums in Europe. It will take you on a journey of discovery which includes the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, the tropical oceans, and the Atlantic. Explore the depths of the oceans and see the scary, delicate or multi-coloured animals that live there.

ART AND HISTORY MUSEUMS

The art and history museums (Musée des Beaux-arts and Musée du Nouveau Monde) are run by the same body. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is located inside the Hôtel Crussol d’Uzès which was built in the reign of Louis XVI. You'll find a huge range of European art there extending from the 15th to the 20th centuries. As for the Nouveau Monde museum, it symbolises the links between La Rochelle and America from the 16th century onwards.

Musée des modèles réduits (Scale Models Museum)

Wander around an imaginary world full of miniaturised ships, cars, trains and airplanes.

Musée des automates (Automaton Museum)

This houses a huge collection of 300 automatons which were unearthed over the course of three decades in bric-a-brac shops or auctions, or were obtained from collectors and antiques dealers in the main capitals of Europe: Paris, London, Berlin.