🇫🇷 La Rochelle: Where History Meets Coastal Romance ⚓🌹

📜 A Port City with a Past 17th-century hub: Traded African slaves, Caribbean rum, and Canadian furs (dark but pivotal history). Decline: Overtaken by Nantes/Bordeaux, now a sleepy tourist town (pop: 80,000). ⚓ Modern Port Magic Les Minimes Marina (1972): World’s largest small-boat harbor 🛥️ (5,000 berths!). Bike pioneer: France’s 1st bike-sharing program 🚲 (1976—still running!). New Port (1890): Deep waters for big ships (replaced the tidal-locked old port). 🏰 Iconic Landmarks Three Medieval Towers: ⭐ Saint-Nicolas Tower (14th century) ⛓️ Chain Tower 🏮 Lantern Tower (climb for sunset views!) 🎉 Local Life Markets: Wed/Sat mornings—fresh oysters 🦪 + fish so new it still smells like the Atlantic. Summer Festivals: 🎵 Francofolies (music) 🎥 Film Festival ⛵ International Sailing Event Weekend Nights: Bars overflow, street performers dazzle, and the port glows. #LaRochelle #FrenchHistory #SeasideVibes #FestivalLife