La Rochelle

On our first vacation-within-a-vacation, we're heading up to the north of France . Our first stop was La Rochelle , a port city on the Atlantic that was sometimes independent and sometimes allegiant to England or France.  

With its turbulent history, there was cause for strong towers at the port. This is the view looking back into town. We toured the taller one which was built in the sixteenth century.

Nice views of the ocean 

And the city...

Hollyhocks growing out of cracks in the stones .

We stayed in an amazing B&B, Auberge de l'Ecu, built in 1760. It was stripped down to the stones and timbers and then decorated very modern.

The coolest thing was that, under the rug in the entryway was a secret tunnel that has been used during the wars between Catholics and Protestents. 

The hiding place is now a wine cellar comfortable on the hottest summer day. 

We had a four course dinner after aperitifs at 8pm. 

We've adjusted to a later schedule than at home but 11:30 bedtime was pretty late !

The house fronted to the town square and church. Very scenic, but the town alarm clock of 3 sets of bells at 7 am was not very well received!

Therefore it was no surprise that we had a pile of puppies in the car as we headed for Brittany.