La, a town of France, capital of the department of Charente-Inférieure, on the north shore of an inlet of the sea, 295 miles W. by N. of Paris. It is encircled by fortifications, and entered by seven gates. Its broad, straight streets are lined with buildings, which, though not lofty, are generally good. The most of the town is built round the harbour, which is bordered with an elegant quay shaded by rows of trees. The town-hall is a fine building in the renaissance style of the time of Francis I.; the cathedral, exchange, court-house, and public library are among the ornaments of the town. Many of the squares and public walks are exceedingly beautiful. La Rochelle contains several schools, hospitals, a botanic garden, mint, arsenals, &c. The manufactories of the place include potteries, glass-works, ship-building yards, sugar refineries, and cotton factories. The harbour is very safe, and admits vessels of 400 or 500 tons. An extensive trade is carried on in wine, brandy, oil, salt, timber, iron, colonial produce, &c. The town of Rochelle is ancient; but no remarkable event is connected with its history till the time of the Reformation. Before 1572, it had been alternately possessed by the French and English; but was finally secured for the former in that year by Du Guesclin. In 1557 the Huguenots obtained possession of La Rochelle, and retained it for seventy-two years, defending themselves against a siege in 1572, and only surrendering on honourable terms in 1629, after a blockade of fourteen months. The mole constructed by Richelieu to close up the harbour on that occasion may still be seen at low water. Pop. (1855) 14,157.