12th century church located in the heart of La Rochelle, in Charente-Maritime, the Saint-Louis church was completely destroyed in the 16th century during the Wars of Religion. Rebuilt in the middle of the 18th century under the influence of Cardinal de Fleury, it then remained unfinished for lack of means while nevertheless opening up to worship.
Listed as a Historic Monument, it remains particularly famous for its bell tower, the highest point in the city. In the first half of the 17th century, it was notably used as a cannon tower against the armies of Louis XIII. At the end of the 20th century, it saw its ground floor converted to accommodate themed temporary exhibition rooms. Gothic in style, the building has a magnificent decoration consisting of statues, gargoyles and other floral motifs, including statues of Eve of Saint Jacques and Saint Yves in the high niches of the buttresses.
Inside, visitors will be able to admire the beauty of the decorations, starting with the Chapel of the Virgin with its paintings representing the Assumption, the Annunciation, the Visitation or the Flight into Egypt. The sailors' chapel is not lacking in interest either with its many ex-votos, including that of the Saphir which represents a slave ship.
