S05E06 - La Rochelle, France: Towers at the Atlantic Gateway

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica continues to La Rochelle, France.

The ship docks outside the city, so an excursion takes us towards the historic center. Along the way, we pass the massive submarine bunker at La Pallice, an imposing reminder of the area’s wartime history and a striking contrast to the charming old harbor waiting ahead.

Once in La Rochelle, we begin with a guided walk through the compact Old Town. The route takes us past the historic city hall, narrow streets, and the Grosse Horloge, the old clock tower that forms a natural gateway between the shopping streets and the harbor.

Later, we leave the group and continue independently, making our way towards the waterfront, the Ferris wheel, several churches, and La Rochelle’s most recognizable landmarks: the Tour Saint-Nicolas and Tour de la Chaîne.

With boats filling the old harbor and medieval towers framing the entrance, La Rochelle delivers exactly the kind of Atlantic port atmosphere one hopes to find on this part of the journey.

A warm, relaxed port day combining guided history with time to explore at our own pace.