Église Sainte Madeleine

The church of St. Martin originally consisted of a priory and a crypt church. The crypt and the eastern part under the roof date from the 11th century, and the western part under the vault from the 12th century. The foundations of the nave, destroyed by the English in 1757, are still visible between the entrance arches and the entrance door. The crypt is probably the most remarkable part of this Romanesque church. Its cross vault is supported by 14 columns with capitals decorated with floral motifs.

The Récollets, Franciscan monks who settled in La Rochelle in 1629, built a vast convent from the Maubec canal to the present rue Amelot. Their church, burnt down in 1705 and rebuilt the following year, was bought by the Protestants after the Revolution to establish their temple. The cloister and the rest of the monastery became the convent of the Dames Blanches.

Built from 1742, the church remained unfinished due to lack of funds, but was nevertheless opened for worship in 1784. The 18th century cathedral is flanked by a 14th century bell tower, known as Saint Bartholomew's, which was destroyed during the Wars of Religion.