The towers are lit up at

The towers are lit up at night La Rochelle has long been popular with visitors and in the summer months its café terraces and wide quaysides heave with tourists. But for me, a winter visit is a wonderful way to explore the town without crowds, discover its many museums, enjoy bracing walks along the beaches of the Atlantic Coast, browse the fabulous shops, dine at superb restaurants - and indulge in some of the area’s more secret charms. What to see in La Rochelle in winter Grosse Horloge, La Rochelle Winter City break: LA ROCHELLE Winter is an ideal time to visit the maritime city of La Rochelle, capital of the Charente-Maritime department, and discover its picturesque port, historic town, museums and feast worthy restaurants along with some of its less wellknown charms says Janine Marsh. From the window of my hotel, I watched the rising sun cast the palest blush of pink over the tranquil historic port of La Rochelle and the grand stone towers that guard the port entrance just as they have done for centuries when a huge chain was hung between them and raised when required to prevent boats entering. French writer Rabelais would surely recognise the towers from his description in his 1532 best-seller Pantagruel (in his tale, the chain was used to tie a baby giant called Gargantua into a cradle!). A gentle breeze over the marina conducted an orchestral clinking from the boats moored there Wander inland from the old port which is lined with restaurants and bars, into the old town through the ornately sculpted 12th century 48 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 49