La Rochelle

French commune and prefecture of Charente-Maritime, New Aquitaine

La Rochelle is a city in the Charente-Maritime department and a seaport in western France near the Bay of Biscay. The Huguenots there rebelled in 1627 and 1628. La Rochelle is a coastal city in southwestern France and capital of the Charente-Maritime department. It has been a center for fishing and trade since the 12th century, a maritime tradition that's reflected in its Vieux Port (old harbor) and huge, modern Les Minimes marina. The old town has half-timbered medieval houses and Renaissance architecture, including passageways covered by 17th-century arches.

La Rochelle
Old harbour of La Rochelle
Old harbour of La Rochelle
Coat of arms of La Rochelle
Location of La Rochelle
Map
La Rochelle is located in France
La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
La Rochelle
La Rochelle
Coordinates: 46°09′33″N 1°09′06″W / 46.1591°N 1.1517°W / 46.1591; -1.1517
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCharente-Maritime
ArrondissementLa Rochelle
IntercommunalityCA La Rochelle
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Jean-François Fountaine
Area
1
28.43 km2 (10.98 sq mi)
Population
 (2012)
80,014
 • Density2,800/km2 (7,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
17300 /17000
Elevation0–28 m (0–92 ft)
(avg. 4 m or 13 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

La Rochelle Business School is in the city.

Sister cities change

La Rochelle is twinned with:

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  Media related to La Rochelle at Wikimedia Commons