La Rochelle is a town and commune of western France, and a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean with about population 77,000. Its harbor opens into a protected strait, the Pertuis d'Antioche. La Rochelle was founded during the 10th century, and became an vital harbor from the 12th century. In 1137, Guillaume X, Duke of Aquitaine basically made La Rochelle a free port. The city has brilliantly maintained its past architecture, making it one of the most striking and historically rich cities on the Atlantic coast. This helped develop a passionate tourism industry. La Rochelle also maintains solid links with the sea by harboring the biggest marina for pleasure boats in Europe at Les Minimes, and a rather rich boat-building industry.
If your privileged enough you may visit a traditional pottery maker and see techniques that have been perfected for over 800 years.
Or go visit the 19th-century cathedral, or the
Serpentarium it is stock full with exhibits on local exotic snakes and lizards.
Also you can enjoy water sports like fishing and diving.