Curiosities of La Rochelle, part II !!!

Posted in Europe, France

And to my surprise many written on La Rochelle but the beautiful carrousels. Really, this needs more like a post of its own for the sake of credit when credit is due. I am updating this post with new text and links for you and me as found me more pictures in my vault and decided to include them here. Wonderful for all to enjoy thing to see in La Rochelle. Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of La Rochelle, part II !!!  Hope you enjoy it as I.

The ancestral merry-go-round in La Rochelle, The carrousel is one of the oldest in France. A sedentary carrousel, located on Place de Verdun, only adds charm to the town square. Alone or accompanied by other structures, during various events its reputation is well established. It is part of all celebrations and is highlighted during the Christmas market. Children and adults will be delighted to take a ride in this two-story carrousel, which is still very well preserved.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

.It must be said that there are hardly any intact rides left from the end of the 19C and that among them, those of Auguste Bayol, a genius Angevin artist, are only two. One is in Vienna at the Prater, the other in La Rochelle. There are no fairground horses more beautiful than his. They are both realistic and magical, they escape from childhood tales and look at us with gentle and wild eyes… Created in 1883, it is today the oldest and complete carousel in France. Among Bayol’s favorite animals are the cat, the rooster, the swan, the pig and the donkey…Sublime!

Go to the square Valin, by Quai Valin on the old port, to admire of another carrousel . In the center, a 52-key cardboard organ transformed at the beginning of the 20C. Until the years 1935-1940, the carousel turned with a horse. The lighting was originally with kerosene lamps.  It has been installed at this location since 1975.

The statue of Admiral Duperré stands at the foot of the Porte de la Grosse Horloge (see post), at the beginning of the Quai Duperré. Admiral Duperré or Victor Guy Duperré. He commanded the French fleet when Algiers was captured in 1830. Sailor of the French Empire and Minister of the Navy, born in La Rochelle on February 20, 1775.Quai Duperré offers a pleasant walk on the site of the old port, punctuated by shops, cafes and restaurants.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The Hôtel de Ville or city hall of La Rochelle has been hosting it since 1298, it is the oldest French City hall still in office, After 1628, Louis XIII suppressed the body of the city and confiscate the City hall to transform it into a king’s house. On May 22, 1631, the donation was published in the presidential hearing made by the king of the city hall to the Cardinal de Richelieu and other governors of La Rochelle. From then on, the townhouse became the governor’s house. To allow the governor to be housed, it was extended to three adjoining homes. The fortress door opens onto an interior courtyard marked by the influence of the Renaissance and Antiquity, with a monumental staircase, a campanile and a dome occupied by a statue of Henri IV in enameled earthenware, as well as many columns and a loaded decoration.

La Rochelle Hôtel de Ville interior courtyard

The Saint-Nicolas tower (14C) is, with the tower of the chain and the lantern tower, one of the three towers of the La Rochelle seafront, and one of the two emblematic towers of the Old Port , of which it constitutes the majestic gateway, The tower of the chain It is of this tower that was maneuvered the chain, fixed in the Saint-Nicolas tower on the other bank, so as to prohibit access to the port.

La Rochelle port and towers chaine et St Nicolas

The La Rochelle tourist office on the square Valin and Carroussel in the Vieux Port : https://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/focus/square-valin-the-place-to-be-for-families

The official towers of La Rochelle: https://www.tours-la-rochelle.fr/en

There you go folks, another dandy things to see in wonderful La Rochelle. The vieux port or old harbor is sublime and the carrousels are just magical for the whole family and even some older folks….we love them. Enjoy it without moderation!! Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of La Rochelle, part II as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Unknown's avatar

Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.