Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #2 in La Rochelle, France

The Chain Tower (1384) along with the Lantern tower and the Saint Nicolas Tower, is one of the three medieval towers guarding the port in La Rochelle, France. It is called the Chain tower because an actual chain was stretched across the port entrance from this building. In 1879 the French government classified it as a Monument historique (MH).

Wikipedia: The Chain Tower (EN)

The Museum of Scale Models is a French museum located in the city of La Rochelle, in the Charente-Maritime region.

Wikipedia: Musée des modèles réduits (FR), Website

The Museum of Automatons is a French museum located in the city of La Rochelle, in the Charente-Maritime region.

Wikipedia: Musée des automates (FR), Website

A fortified city, La Rochelle has many defence monuments, the best known of which are the medieval towers of the Old Port, which guard the entrance and have made it world famous. During its history, La Rochelle has lost many of its monuments, such as the ramparts that fortified the city and which were pierced by gates that have also disappeared. These disappearances are estimated to have occurred around 1910-1930 during the expansion of La Rochelle, in particular with the establishment of its railway station. Between 2016 and 2020, La Rochelle carried out a lot of work, particularly against flooding, which at the same time allowed it to enhance its heritage, such as in Gabut, at the foot of the Saint-Nicolas tower but also in the streets of the city centre.

Wikipedia: Monuments de La Rochelle (FR)

Saint Nicolas Tower (1384) along with the Lantern tower and the Chain tower, is one of the three medieval towers guarding the port in La Rochelle, France. In 1879 the French government classified it as a Monument historique (MH).

Wikipedia: Saint Nicolas Tower (EN)

Aquarium de La Rochelle is a family-owned public aquarium in La Rochelle, France. It has a surface area of over 8,445 m2 (90,901 sq ft) with 3 million litres of seawater. It has 73 display aquaria and 150 quarantine aquaria exhibiting more than 12,000 animals of 600 different species. It has an average of 800,000 visitors per year.

Wikipedia: Aquarium de La Rochelle (EN), Website

Gare de La Rochelle is the main railway station serving La Rochelle. The station building, which includes a 45-metre-tall clock tower, was built in 1922 by Pierre Esquié for the CF de l'Etat replacing the older building. The railway station is well known for the "Danseurs au ballon" painted on the ceiling by Emile Sourice and Nicus Georget, 2 local artists. The station was renovated by Franck Beck and Luc Mouret in the early 1990s for the arrival of the TGV Atlantique.

Wikipedia: La Rochelle station (EN)