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Port of La Rochelle
“Elles embarquaient à la Rochelle
Emportant tout ce qu’elles avaient
La robe qu’elles portaient sur elles
C’était Valentine Day”
Extract from Valentine Day by Michel Sardou
In the 17th century, the colonization of New France, i.e. a large part of Canada, was in full swing. Many men were dispatched to build and/or conquer.
A colony that lasts is a colony that renews itself. And quickly, the lack of women and therefore the impossibility of generating offspring is felt. Louis XIV then had an idea, to recruit young orphaned or widowed women, often from modest or poor backgrounds, to send them to the new country and marry the men there.
Numerous rumors, which were also mentioned in Michel Sardou’s song, said that these “filles du Roy” were “filles de joie”, prostitutes that the regime in power did not want to see in its streets. This reputation comes from the bourgeoisie, denigrating these lower classes sent to the subcontinent that America represented at that time. In reality, the authorities did not want to send women suffering from diseases due to the practice of their profession, but rather fertile young women to establish the French presence on the territory.
La Rochelle being one of the main ports of the 17th century, many of these young women heading for America embarked on ships moored on the quays of the Charente-Maritime city. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not.
Michel Sardou has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Vieux Port de La Rochelle
Regrouping several structures, the port of La Rochelle is an essential element of the economic network of Charente-Maritime.
The port of La Rochelle includes the autonomous port, the submarine base, created during the occupation, the fishing port of Chef de Baie and the marina. It is within this last one that are grouped the Old-Port, the port of Minimes and the Port-Neuf. The Old Port is undoubtedly the most touristic part, with its vestiges like the Chain Tower and the Saint-Nicolas Tower. Two monuments integrated into the city’s fortifications. The port has evolved considerably, without losing its identity. Every year, it attracts thousands of tourists as well as several cultural and sporting events.
The Fantrippers Buying Board
Discover all the places Valentine Day on our map
By Damien Duarte
Passionné par la culture pop depuis son enfance, ses références vont de Donald Duck à Batman en passant par Marty McFly. Fantripper dans l'âme, voyager sur les traces de Ghostbusters, James Bond ou des héros de romans comme Cotton Malone fait partie d'un séjour idéal et réussi !