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For 1000 years La Rochelle “the rebel city” has shown its uniqueness: democratic ahead of time, Protestant while the rest of France was Catholic, protected by kings while the country suffered from overtaxing… All through the centuries La Rochelle has shown a unique identity. 

Xth century : a fisherman's village

Founded in the Xth century on a rocky platform deep in the marshes, the fishermen’s village became a very important port from the XIIth century. By 1137 it had become a free port thanks to Guillaume X, Duke of Aquitaine.
50 years later for the first time in France a mayor – Guillaume de Montmirail – was elected in La Rochelle.

XIIIth century : Trade

For the next two centuriees, the mayor, aldermen and shipowners took advantage of the conflicts between France and England to increase their fortune and privileges. During the XIIIth century trade in salt and wine reached its height. Up until the XVth century La Rochelle bcame the most important port on the Atlantic coast.

XVIth century : the Reformation

The new independent town naturally adopted the Reformation’s ideas. As a stronghold of Protestantism La Rochelle became a free town and a threat to Richelieu’s policy of unification.

On September 10, 1627 cannon shots were exchanged with Royal troops.

The following month the Royal forces besieged the town. After 13 months of siege the mayor Jean Guiton - elected on April 30, 1628 -  had to capitulate. The town was granted mercy on October 28 and lost its privileges. The town council was brought down.

XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries : the New World

Thanks to maritime trade the town regained prosperity. Between 1630 and 1635 La Rochelle developed regular links with New France (Canada) and the West Indies. In 1694 trade (in sugar from the West Indies, furs from Canada, triangular trade) flourished. Intellectual and artistic influence gained strength.

The economic boon brought on by the new trade is tied to a dark chapter in the history of the city, as La Rochelle had an important role to play in the triangular trade that developed at the time. The first traces of an expedition for this purpose were recorded in 1595. However, it was during the 1750s that shipowners became increasingly involved in the slave trade. The Rochelais shipowners became "the unavoidable figures of La Rochelle", so that by 1789 La Rochelle had become the second slave port in France. The slave trade subsequently became part of the triangular colonial trade during the Enlightenment, described as "the golden age of the slave trade". In a nutshell, La Rochelle owes its economic development to these transatlantic exchanges of which the black slave trade was "the essential link".

Reference: AUGERON, Mickaël et CAUDRON, Olivier (dir.). La Rochelle, l'Aunis et la Saintonge face à l'esclavage. Rivage des Xantons, 2012.

Chronological Frieze of the Slave Trade: http://exposvirtuelles.charente-maritime.fr/fr/expositions/29/chronologie

XIXth century : the maritime trade

During the French Revolution and the Empire wars La Rochelle lost its prominence. The town recovered with the creation of La Pallice harbour inaugurated in 1890 which boosted the maritime trade. During the Second World War a German submarine base was implanted there. Though an important strategic spot La Rochelle was hardly damaged by bombings. It was one of the last French city to be freed (May 8, 1945).