La Rochelle towers

The most recognisable landmark in La Rochelle, the three towers - now together a listed National Monument - stand at the entrance to the harbour. They once formed the most important part of the town defences against invasion from the sea.

Looking towards the sea from in the port area, left to right are the Saint Nicolas Tower and the Chain Tower, each side of the harbour entrance, then along the ramparts a little way is the third tower, the Tower of the Lantern.

The towers can all be visited, and apart from the interest of the towers themselves, they also each afford very good views across La Rochelle.

The St Nicolas tower is the largest of the three. It's walls, up to six metres thick, contain a maze of stairways, passages, and rooms eg a chapel. The descent is perhaps the highlight - you can choose from the 'easy' staircase or the steep, slippery 'double helix' staircase - I highly recommend the second, it is extremely impressive.

The Chain tower (Tour de la Chaine), originally constructed to control access to the port, now contains an interesting series of exhibits covering the role of La Rochelle during the migration of French people to Canada (Nouvelle-France as it was then known) between 1604 and 1763.

Approximately 30,000 set off for Canada and 15,000 stayed (others were tradesmen who travelled under contract). The travellers included 700 young ladies, mostly orphans who were sent on the voyage by the king (hence known as "les filles du roi") as wifes for the early inhabitants.

The exhibit is fascinating and explains the challenges of the journey, and the even greater challenges of Canada when they arrived.

The third tower is the Lantern Tower (Tour de la Lanterne). The only medieval lighthouse on the Atlantic Coast that is still standing, the lantern tower contains a remarkable array of graffiti, carved into the walls by the pirates and prisoners that were held here after it was converted to a prison in the 17th century.

There are several hundred examples of the graffiti to be seen, many of which are very ornate.

Visitor information, La Rochelle towers

To see all three towers takes about 2-3 hours. a combined ticket to see all three costs 10.5 euros, and includes a crossing on the 'water bus' between the two opposite sides of the harbour.

See Poitou-Charentes and Charente-Maritime (the region and department for La Rochelle towers) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for La Rochelle towers: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near La Rochelle towers, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Ile de Re 20km; Marans 21km; Rochefort 28km; Ars-en-Re 28km; Ile d'Oleron 30km; Surgeres 32km; Brouage 35km; Maillezais abbey 40km; Ronce-les-Bains 40km; La Tremblade 43km; Fontenay-le-Comte 43km;

La Rochelle towers tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins du phare de Chassiron - remarkable garden (22km) : Jardins de la Boirie - remarkable garden (27km) : Baie de l'Aiguillon - site of natural beauty (29km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Maille) - religious monument (35km) : Abbaye Saint Pierre et Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Maillezais) - religious monument (40km) : Georges Clemenceau house - national monument (42km) : Jardins de Chaligny - remarkable garden (45km) : Jardins du Bâtiment - remarkable garden (45km) :

See more places and a map at places near La Rochelle