Landmarks

Tickets to Towers of La Rochelle

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With convenient entry tickets, tour the 3 towers of La Rochelle, namely The Saint Nicolas Tower, The Chain Tower, and The Lantern Tower.

Highlights

Discover the 3 historical and architectural symbols of La Rochelle.
Explore Tour Saint Nicolas, a formidable military tower and witness the oldest Tour de la Chaine, named for the huge chain, connecting to Saint Nicolas.
Visit Tour de la Lanterne, the oldest standing lighthouse on the Atlantic coast and enjoy panoramic views of the city, the harbor, and the islands.
You can choose to indulge in a 1-hour tour of each tower (conducted in French).
Get a handy information booklet available in seven languages.

Inclusions

Entry to Tour Saint Nicolas (closed for renovation work until further notice)
Entry to Tour de la Lanterne
Entry to Tour de la Chaîne
1-hr tour of each tower in French (optional)
Information booklet in 7 languages

Exclusions

Transfers
Audioguide

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 25 Feb, 2025.

Ticket Validity

These tickets are valid until 25 Feb, 2025.

Your Experience

Built facing the Atlantic, the Tour Saint-Nicolas (14th century), the Tour de la Chaîne (14th century) and the Tour de la Lanterne (12th and15th century) are remains of an extensive fortification system undertaken by the City of La Rochelle. These three towers have served as lighthouses, fortified defenses, living quarters, and even political prisons.

The largest of the three is The Saint-Nicolas tower built with walls up to six meters thick and adorned with a maze of stairways, passages, and rooms. The highlight here is perhaps the descent: choose either the easy staircase or the steep, slippery 'double helix' staircase.

The Chain tower, regarded as sacrosanct in the Protestant period, was originally constructed to monitor all port traffic and now houses an interesting series of exhibits depicting the role of La Rochelle in the migration of French people to Canada.

The Lantern Tower which is relatively new when compared to the other two was built keeping functionality in mind and had served different purposes in the Middle Ages. The only medieval lighthouse on the Atlantic Coast that is still standing, this tower bears a remarkable palette of graffiti, carved into the walls by pirates and prisoners who were incarcerated there after it was converted to a prison.

Know Before You Go

Important Information

Please note that there is free admission during the following days: European Heritage Days on the third weekend of Sep, and every first Monday of the month from Nov to Mar.
Please note that there is free admission for EU residents under the age of 26 and for anyone else under the age of 18.
The booklet is available in 7 languages including French, English, Spanish, Dutch, German, Italian, and Russian.
The route includes many steps.

Restrictions

The monument does not have restrooms.
Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: suitcases, large hiking bikes, outside food, smoking, pets.
The experience is restricted for minor guests if they aren't accompanied by parents or adults.

Operating Hours

15 Jun to 30 Sep

Daily: 10am to 1pm, and from 2:15pm to 6pm

1 Oct to 31 Mar

Daily: 10am to 1pm, and from 2:15pm to 5:30pm.
Last admission is 45 minutes before the closing time.
Closed on 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec, and 1st Mon of each month.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly after the purchase
Please display the same along with a valid photo ID at the time of redemption
If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification. Students must show their valid student IDs

Ticket Redemption Point

Redeem your voucher at La Rochelle Towers, Tour Saint-Nicolas, Vieux Port, Rue de l'Armide, 17 000 La Rochelle

Get Directions to the Ticket Redemption Point

Getting There

Bus: 20, 7

Validity

These tickets are open-dated. Enter anytime within the operating hours.

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