Towers

Lonely Planet review

La Rochelle's three defensive towers can be visited individually, or on a combined ticket.

To protect the harbour at night in times of war, an enormous chain was raised between the two 14th-century stone towers at the harbour entrance, giving rise to the name of Tour de la Chaîne ('chain tower'). There are some informative exhibits on the history of the local Protestant community, and superb views from the top.

Across the harbour it's also possible to climb the 36m-high, pentagonal Tour St-Nicolas.

So named because of its role as the harbour's lighthouse (lit by an enormous candle), and one of the oldest of its kind in the world, the conical 15th-century Tour de la Lanterne is also referred to as Tour des Quatre Sergents in memory of four local sergeants held here for plotting to overthrow the newly reinstated monarchy before their execution in Paris in 1822. The English-language graffiti on the walls was carved by English privateers held here during the 18th century.