# La Rochelle

> French commune and prefecture of Charente-Maritime, New Aquitaine

**Wikidata**: [Q82185](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q82185)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rochelle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-rochelle

## Summary
La Rochelle is a French commune and port city that serves as the prefecture of the Charente-Maritime department in the New Aquitaine region. As the administrative capital of the Arrondissement of La Rochelle and the historical province of Aunis, it is a significant urban center with a population of 79,851 as of 2023. The city is distinct for its historical role, replacing Saintes as the departmental capital in 1810, and features a widely recognized old port entrance flanked by two towers.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France, Port City, City.
- **Location**: Prefecture of Charente-Maritime, New Aquitaine, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 46.159444, Longitude -1.151388.
- **Area**: 28.43 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 79,851 (as of January 1, 2023, preferred value).
- **Elevation**: Ranges from 0 metres (lowest) to 28 metres (highest), with a mean elevation of 9 metres.
- **Postal Code**: 17000.
- **INSEE Code**: 17300.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00 (Standard Time), UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving Time).
- **UN/LOCODE**: FRLRH.
- **Current Mayor (Head of Government)**: Jean-François Fountaine (in office since April 5, 2014; term ends June 6, 2025).
- **Preceding Entity**: Replaced Laleu.
- **Administrative Capital Status**: Replaced Saintes as capital of Charente-Maritime on May 19, 1810.

## FAQs

**What is the geographical location and extent of La Rochelle?**
La Rochelle is situated in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France as the prefecture of Charente-Maritime. The city covers an area of 28.43 square kilometres and is bordered by the communes of Aytré, L'Houmeau, Lagord, Périgny, Puilboreau, and Rivedoux-Plage.

**What are the demographics and population trends?**
As of January 1, 2023, the population is 79,851. Historical data shows a population of 73,347 in 1968, peaking at over 79,000 in the 2020s. In 2017, the population was recorded as 75,735, comprising 35,180 males and 40,555 females.

**How is the city administered and what are its divisions?**
The city serves as the capital of the Arrondissement of La Rochelle and is divided into multiple cantons (La Rochelle-1 through La Rochelle-9). The office of the head of government is the Mayor of La Rochelle, currently held by Jean-François Fountaine, succeeding Maxime Bono.

**What are the city's official contact details and digital presence?**
The official website is `larochelle.fr`, with a contact page available in French. The city maintains social media profiles under the handle "LaRochelleEnsemble" on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The general inquiry phone number is +33-5-46-51-51-51.

## Why It Matters
La Rochelle holds significant administrative weight as the prefecture of Charente-Maritime, a role it assumed in 1810, shifting regional power away from Saintes. As a port city, it functions as a critical node in the regional economy and transport network, identified by the UN/LOCODE FRLRH. The city is a site of deep historical resonance, having been the subject of multiple major military events including the Siege of La Rochelle and the Blockade of La Rochelle. It maintains a robust international profile through active sister-city relationships with eight cities across the globe, including Petrozavodsk, Lübeck, and New Rochelle.

## Notable For
- **Prefecture Status**: Serving as the administrative capital of Charente-Maritime since 1810.
- **Port City Identity**: Defined by its harbor entrance with two towers, a frequent subject of imagery.
- **International Twinning**: Maintaining "Sister City" relationships with eight cities, including New Rochelle (USA) and Acre (Israel).
- **Historical Resilience**: Surviving multiple significant sieges and blockades throughout history.
- **Digital Reach**: Operating a YouTube channel ("La Rochelle Ensemble") with over 315,000 views and 1,010 subscribers as of late 2025.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
La Rochelle is located in the New Aquitaine region of France, specifically within the Charente-Maritime department. It lies at coordinates 46.159444°N, 1.151388°W. The city spans a total area of 28.43 square kilometres. The terrain is relatively low-lying, with an average elevation of 9 metres above sea level, a minimum elevation of 0 metres, and a maximum elevation of 28 metres. It shares borders with seven neighboring communes: Aytré, L'Houmeau, Lagord, Périgny, Puilboreau, and Rivedoux-Plage.

Demographic records show a steady population count over recent decades. As of the 2023 census, the population stood at 79,851. In 2022, it was recorded as 79,961. Historical data points include 78,623 (2016), 75,404 (2015), and 75,735 (2017). In 2017, the gender breakdown was 35,180 males and 40,555 females. The population has grown from 73,347 in 1968 to its current levels.

### Governance and Administrative Structure
The city is a commune of France and a port city. It serves as the capital of the Arrondissement of La Rochelle and the historical province of Aunis. Since May 19, 1810, it has served as the capital of Charente-Maritime, replacing Saintes. The city is administratively subdivided into nine cantons: La Rochelle-1 through La Rochelle-9.

The executive leadership has been held by Jean-François Fountaine since April 5, 2014; his current term is set to end on June 6, 2025. He succeeded Maxime Bono, who served from April 19, 1999, to April 5, 2014.

### Historical Events
La Rochelle has been the site of numerous significant historical military events, collectively identified as significant events in the provided data:
- Allied Siege of La Rochelle
- Siege of La Rochelle (multiple instances)
- Blockade of La Rochelle (multiple instances)

The city entity replaced a former entity known as Laleu.

### International Relations
La Rochelle is twinned with eight administrative bodies globally. These relationships include:
- Petrozavodsk (Russia) — established in 1973
- Lübeck (Germany)
- New Rochelle (USA)
- Acre (Israel)
- Essaouira (Morocco)
- Santiago de Figueiró (Portugal)
- Corrientes (Argentina)
- Newport (Wales/UK)

### Digital Presence and Media
The city maintains an active online presence. Its official website is `https://www.larochelle.fr/`. The city operates a YouTube channel titled "La Rochelle Ensemble" (ID: UCuIM48oRgMKos98w8UlvjfQ), which had accrued 315,396 views by November 2025. Social media handles include "LaRochelleEnsemble" on Facebook and Instagram, and "mairie-de-la-rochelle" on LinkedIn.

### Identifiers and Codes
La Rochelle is catalogued under various international and national systems:
- **INSEE Municipality Code**: 17300
- **UN/LOCODE**: FRLRH
- **Postal Code**: 17000
- **Local Dialing Code**: 546
- ** VIAF ID**: 133623415
- **GND ID**: 4111169-2
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n81003750
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 11878109f

### Contact Information
- **Phone**: +33-5-46-51-51-51
- **Fax**: +33-5-46-51-51-92
- **Email**: courrier@ville-larochelle.fr
- **Contact Page**: https://www.larochelle.fr/contact

### Archives and Libraries
The city's archives are maintained at the "Archives municipales de La Rochelle." The city is referenced in major encyclopedic works including the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
3. [Source](http://www.petrozavodsk-mo.ru/en/self/relations/view.htm?id=10202732@cmsArticle)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. Annuaire de service-public.fr
11. MusicBrainz
12. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
13. Populations légales 2016
14. Populations légales 2017
15. Populations légales 2018
16. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
17. Populations légales 2019
18. Populations légales 2020
19. Populations légales 2021
20. Populations de référence 2022
21. Populations de référence 2023
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
23. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
24. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
25. GeoNames
26. BBC Things
27. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/fr.htm)
28. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
29. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
30. Quora
31. [Mairie de la Rochelle: Overview | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mairie-de-la-rochelle/)
32. YouTube API
33. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
34. museum-digital