moonchild

Hi: I am curious about this area. Will probably be going to Paris in 2006 and I would be interested in finding out how far this town could be from Paris.
My father once told me that our ancesters came from Larochelle.It would be of great interest to me to visit that part of France.
I did a google search but can't seem to find the distance between there and Paris.
Thank you.
Regards, Gail

celticdreams

I used to date a LaRochelle - does that count? Sorry - it's Friday!

ira

Hi m,

Go to www.mappy.com and www.viamichelin.com for driving directions and maps.

signmeup

I spent a summer in La Rochelle yrs ago. It is a fishing village-- tons of character, charm-- and it has islands off of it-- Il de Re-- look that up-- unfortunately- this island has become extremely upscale-- from what I hear-- but maybe this is a good thing.
There are tons of small beaches.

I did an summer study program there. Loved it. I know I was in Paris-- but can't tell you how far it is. Look on an atlas and use that measuring tool they provide-- I remember we went on a bus and stopped in Tours.

French websites end in .fr instead of .com

Good luck

ckenb

The "mileage" chart in my Michelin road atlas of France says it's 475 kilometers from Paris to La Rochelle. That's close to 300 miles. I think it would be a 6-hour drive from Paris via autoroute. You take the A10 in the direction of Bordeaux, passing through Orleans, Tours, and Poitiers.

moonchild

Thanks Ira. Will do.
Signmeup:I appreciate the info. Thank you.
Celticdreams:Funny! Have a "good friday"!

moonchild

Hi ckenb: We must have been posting at the same time.
It is quite a distance. Since I will not be driving I will do some research as to the easiest way to get there.
Thank you for your research.

ira

Hi moon,

www.viamichelin.com has 7 towns named La Rochelle, but no Larochelle.

Do you know which one is yours?

www.sncf.com has Paris to La Rochelle, 3 hrs by train, that goes via Poitiers and Niort. PREMS fare is 50E each way.

moonchild

Hi Ira: You got me there. I didn't realize that there were so many. I'm trying to locate the litterature on my ancesters which will give me more info.We just did a major "spruce up" in the files and now I can't find anything.Isn't this always the way...
Thanks again.
Gail

elle

Not yet, but we will be staying there this June as a stop on our drive from Paris to Bordeaux, thanks to the information and encouragement of people on this board (thanks, St. Cirq and indytraveler!)

I'll post about it when we return.

I believe we have ancestors from the area as well. If you're of French origin and Protestant, chances are you have some connection to the region.

Weadles

moonchild,

I went to a wedding just outside La Rochelle four years ago. It was three hours on the train from Paris. We LOVED La Rochelle, and especially enjoyed the arts festival which I think occurs every July? There was also an incredible guided tour which us took us through underground bunkers and command centers used in World War II.

moonchild

Hello elle: I would really appreciate your views on La Rochelle when you return.
I was born and raise in Quebec but am Catholic. Just about everyone was catholic in Quebec in those days...Am talking about the '40's.Quite a while ago.Still, I do believe that we have connections there. If I could only find my notes...
Thank you.
Weadles:It does sound like a beautiful area.

Marie007

Bonjour !

La Rochelle which is located in Charente-Maritimes (département : 17) is both a very lively harbour and beautiful town.

http://www.larochelle.fr/english/index.php (in English)

"If La Rochelle is blessed with a cultural heritage, it has, over the years, known how to look after and enhance it.
Woodframed and slate fronted houses from the Middle Ages, prestigious mansions and town houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, the soberness and nobility of the 18th century shipowners' houses, so much history, be it flourishing or tumultuous, to visit under the watchful eyes of the gargoyles."

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/musees-la-rochelle/ (its museums, in French)

http://www.larochelle-info.com/laroc...b=4&srub=8 (photos)

cigalechanta

We stayed in La Rochelle one year and highly recommend it. I loved it around the vieux-port this romantic inlet guarded by two tours. two dining suggestions,
"Richard Coutenceau", out on the beach and his sons place, "Les Flots," on the old port.

elle

Mimi, is "Les Flots" the more casual of the two?

Thanks.

Marie007

Still typing with the left hand... Please read "Charente-Maritime"... Here is a card of this "département" :

http://www.tourisme.fr/carte/carte-d...e-Maritime.htm

Marie007

Heu, a map ! Décidément ;-) !!!

cigalechanta

yes! Elle, definately!!

cigalechanta

Also drive over to the Ile De Ré.
Sit at a café by the port. The make their own beer, La Blanche de Ré. I brought the empty porcelain flip top bottle home.

moonchild

Bonjour Marie: Merci beaucoup pour les sites de photos.
Cigale: Thank you. Always good to know about cafes.I love people watching and a good meal.
I will do more research on La Rochelle and the surroundings.