La Rochelle (France)

La Rochelle is a port city in southwestern France, located on Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). It is also the capital of Charente-Maritime department. Since 1988, the town is connected to Ile de Re (island) via 3-km (2-mi) long bridge. Port's harbor opens into Pertuis d'Antioche - a protected strait separating Re Island (north) from Oleron Island (south). The town has population around 80,000 and total area approx 28 km2 (11 mi2).

City's best-known attraction is its picturesque "Old Harbour" ("Vieux Port") - located in downtown and lined with top-quality seafood restaurants. Old Town's walls are part of the waterfront promenade. Departing from the harbor, boat tours link to Ile d'Aix and Fort Boyard (stone fortress). Ile de Re is at a short drive to the north.

The surrounding countryside is rural. The marshy area Venise Verte is to the north, crisscrossed with small canals and a well-known resort for inland boating. Re Island is accessible through the sea bridge. OFP La Rochelle (freight railway) serves the seaport. Popular landmarks include St-Louis Cathedral, Orbigny-Bernon Museum, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle.

For season 2020, the cruise port had scheduled 18 ship calls with expected around 23, 000 tourists (passengers and crew). In 2018 were handled 13 ship calls and around 9,000 tourists.

La Rochelle cruise terminal