Ile de ré. L'île blanche. The white island.
La Rochelle
The history of La Rochelle is written on the walls of it’s houses and in the towers that protected the harbour. It’s voice is heard in the fish market or the bars where sailors share a drink. It will charm you very quickly and leaving it will be difficult.
Saint Martin de Ré, friendly harbour of the island. A fisherman's friend ?
Ile de Ré. With the black tip of its bell tower, the church in Ars en Ré puts the lost sheep back on the right path and guides lost ships to its harbor.
La Rochelle's old harbour used to be protected by two big towers, tour de la Chaîne and tour Saint-Nicolas. It's a great feeling to sail in beetwen them after a rough cruise, because on the other side, your friends are waiting for you in nice bars and restaurants.
Seen from offshore, the tour de la Chaîne seems to gush out of the water. The big stone building was built in 1390 to hold one side off a huge chain which was used to stop boats from coming in the harbour.
Fish market in La rochelle. The building is surounded by tiny bars where the locals go. Depending on the time of the day, they'll drink a glass of white wine, a cognac or a pineau des charentes. The rooms are sometime so small that they only have just enough space for the bar and people standing.
