The Chain Tower

The Tower of the Chaîne, in La Rochelle

The Tower of the Chaîne is the smallest of the three towers of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, that owes its name to the great iron chain that formerly barred the entrance of the port. The La Rochelle audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this tower of the end of the fourteenth century, guardian of the channel with the Tower of Saint-Nicolas, and the legend of an inscription engraved by Louis XI.

The guardian of the chain of the port

From the top of its twenty-four metres, the Tower of the Chaîne is the smallest of the three towers of La Rochelle. It remains no less important, quite the contrary. It is even told that King Louis XI, come to visit it in 1472, would have engraved with a diamond an inscription on one of its windows, testimony of the attention that the sovereigns paid to this strategic place. With the Tower of Saint-Nicolas that faces it on the other side of the channel, the Tower of the Chaîne had the mission to defend the entrance of the port, but also to control the traffic of the ships. It is it that operated the great iron chain that was stretched across the channel to bar the access, at night or in case of danger: no boat could then enter or leave without authorisation. It is precisely from this chain that it takes its name. Although the exact date of its construction is not known, it is situated at the end of the fourteenth century. Damaged over the centuries, notably during the great siege of 1628, it has been restored and today hosts exhibitions retracing the maritime history of the town, notably that of the Protestants who left to found New France in Canada. From its top, the view embraces the port and the old town. A defensive tower and a guardian of the channel, the Tower of the Chaîne is a fine stop of the discovery of La Rochelle.

What to see

Here you discover the smallest of the three towers of La Rochelle, twenty-four metres high and dating from the end of the fourteenth century, that operated the great iron chain barring the channel of the port with the Tower of Saint-Nicolas, hence its name; restored, it hosts exhibitions on the maritime history of the town and the Protestants who left to found New France. The Tower of the Chaîne is a guardian of the port of La Rochelle. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tower of the Chaîne lies at the entrance of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, facing the Tower of Saint-Nicolas, reachable on foot. It follows its own days and opening hours, variable, and the visit is generally subject to a fee, often offered in a combined formula with the other towers. It is best to enquire before coming.

Where does the name of the Tower of the Chaîne come from in La Rochelle?

From the great iron chain that it operated to bar the entrance of the channel of the port, stretched to the Tower of Saint-Nicolas at night or in case of danger; the smallest of the three towers, twenty-four metres high and dating from the end of the fourteenth century, it today hosts exhibitions on the maritime history of the town.

Where is the Tower of the Chaîne in La Rochelle?

At the entrance of the Vieux-Port of La Rochelle, facing the Tower of Saint-Nicolas, in France.