Saint-Nicolas Tower

The Tower of Saint-Nicolas, in La Rochelle

The Tower of Saint-Nicolas is the most imposing of the three towers of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, a true symbol of the sovereignty of the merchant town. The La Rochelle audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this powerful fortress of the fourteenth century, that defended the entrance of the port, surrounded by the legend of the fairy Melusine and offering a fine view over the town and the ocean.

The fortress of the fairy Melusine

Here we are at the foot of the Tower of Saint-Nicolas, the oldest and the most imposing of the three towers of La Rochelle. A true symbol of the sovereignty of the town, that enjoyed in the Middle Ages great liberties, its construction, in the fourteenth century, is the subject of a very particular legend. It is told that its creator would be none other than the fairy Melusine who, flying above La Rochelle carrying the ruins of a destroyed castle, would have let fall all the stones: these, piling up one on the other, would have ended up forming the tower. So, do you believe it? What is sure is that it long protected the town from the enemy attacks coming from the sea. Massive and stocky, almost a keep, the Tower of Saint-Nicolas is in reality a true fortress on its own, endowed with superimposed rooms, labyrinthine staircases, fireplaces and loopholes, designed to shelter a garrison. With the Tower of the Chaîne, that faces it on the other side of the channel, it defended the entrance of the port: at night or in case of threat, a great iron chain was stretched between the two to bar the access. From the top of its some forty metres, it offers today a magnificent panorama over the Vieux-Port, the old town and the ocean. A medieval fortress and a symbol of the town, the Tower of Saint-Nicolas is a fine stop of the discovery of La Rochelle.

What to see

Here you discover the most imposing of the three towers of La Rochelle, a true fortress of the fourteenth century, symbol of the sovereignty of the town, surrounded by the legend of the fairy Melusine; massive like a keep, endowed with superimposed rooms, labyrinthine staircases and loopholes, it defended with the Tower of the Chaîne the entrance of the port and offers from the top a panorama over the Vieux-Port and the ocean. The Tower of Saint-Nicolas is a symbol of La Rochelle. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tower of Saint-Nicolas lies at the entrance of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, reachable on foot. Like the other towers of the town, it follows its own days and opening hours, variable, and the visit is generally subject to a fee. Some towers may be closed according to the periods; it is best to enquire before coming.

What is the legend of the Tower of Saint-Nicolas of La Rochelle?

According to legend, its creator would be the fairy Melusine who, flying above La Rochelle carrying the ruins of a destroyed castle, would have let fall the stones that, piling up, formed the tower; this imposing fortress of the fourteenth century, symbol of the town, defended with the Tower of the Chaîne the entrance of the port and offers a fine view from its top.

Where is the Tower of Saint-Nicolas in La Rochelle?

At the entrance of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, in France.