History of La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France

History
Under Henry IV the city enjoyed a certain freedom and prosperity until the 1620s, but the city entered in conflict with the central authority of the King Louis XIII with the Huguenot rebellion (1622). A fleet from La Rochelle fought a royal fleet of 35 ships under the Charles de Guise in front of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, but was defeated on 27 October 1622, leading to the signature of the Peace of Montpellier.

Revolt of Soubise (1625)

In 1625, a new Huguenot revolt led by Duke Henri de Rohan and his brother Soubise led to the Capture of Ré island by the forces of Louis XIII. Soubise conquered large parts of the Atlantic coast, but the supporting fleet of La Rochelle was finally defeated by Montmorency, as was Soubise with 3,000 when he led a counter-attack against the royal troops who had landed on the island of Ré.

Siege of La Rochelle (1627-1628)

Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle, Henri Motte, 1881.

Following these events, Louis XIII and his Chief Minister... Read MORE...

1627/28 - On September 10, 1627 cannon shots were exchanged with Royal troops.
The following month the Royal forces besieged the town. After 13 months of siege the mayor Jean Guiton - elected on April 30, 1628 - had to capitulate. The town was granted mercy on October 28 and lost its privileges. The town council was brought down.
www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/ what-to-see-and-do/ discover-la-rochelle/ 1000-years-of-history

Thanks to maritime trade the town (La Rochelle) regained prosperity. Between 1630 and 1635 La Rochelle developed regular links with New France (Canada) and the West Indies.

www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/ what-to-see-and-do/ discover-la-rochelle/ 1000-years-of-history

1694 - La Rochelle - In 1694 trade (in sugar from the West Indies, furs from Canada, triangular trade) flourished.

www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/ what-to-see-and-do/ discover-la-rochelle/ 1000-years-of-history

17th-18th Century - Basilique Cocathédrale Saint-Pierre (cath. of Saintes until 1790) established in La Rochelle

www.gcatholic.org

18th-19th Century - Cathédrale Saint-Louis established in La Rochelle

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1859 - A recent letter from La Rochelle, France says
that the yield of the grape has been more abundant than drinkable water. Coopers were employed night and day, but being unable to supply the demand for casks, the wine had to be converted into brandy.
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 23, 1859

During the French Revolution and the Empire wars La Rochelle lost its prominence. The town recovered with the creation of La Pallice harbour inaugurated in 1890 which boosted the maritime trade.

www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/ what-to-see-and-do/ discover-la-rochelle/ 1000-years-of-history

1895 - La Rochelle
La Rochelle, là ro'shëll', a fortified seaport town of France, capital of the department of Charente-Inférieure, on the Atlantic, nearly midway between Nantes and Bordeaux. It is 295 miles by rail S.W. of Paris. Lat. of tower, 40° 9 24" N.; lon. 1°9' 16" W. Pop. 23,924. It is entered by seven gates; the streets are mostly bordered by arcades. The principal edifices are the cathedral, town hall, ex change, courts of justice, hospital, arsenal, docks, and a good bathing-establishment. An inner harbor opens from an outer port, capable of receiving vessels of from 400 to 500 tons; the roadstead is protected by the islands of Ré and Oléron. La Rochelle is a bishop's see, and the capital of a military division. It has a diocesan seminary, school of navigation, a public library of 25,000 volumes, a botanic garden, a cabinet of natural history, manufactures of glass, earthenware, and cotton twist, sugar-refineries, building docks, and an extensive trade in wines, brandies, and colonial... Read MORE...

2023 - La Rochelle has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this charming French city:
Vieux Port (Old Port):

Start your journey at the heart of La Rochelle, the Vieux Port. This historic harbor is lined with colorful buildings, bustling cafes, and seafood restaurants. Take a leisurely stroll along the quays and watch the boats come and go.

La Rochelle Towers:

Explore the iconic towers guarding the harbor entrance: Tour Saint-Nicolas, Tour de la Chaîne, and Tour de la Lanterne. You can even climb to the top for panoramic views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.

Museum of Automatons:

Visit the quirky Museum of Automatons, where you can discover a fascinating collection of mechanical puppets and automata. It's a unique and charming experience for all ages.
Aquarium La Rochelle:

Explore the impressive Aquarium La Rochelle, one of the largest in Europe. It's a fantastic place to learn about marine life and see everything from colorful fish to sharks and sea turtles.

La Rochelle Maritime Museum:

Dive into La Rochelle's maritime history at this... Read MORE...