Rochelle

ro-shel', a city of France. It is situated on an arm of the Bay of Biscay. It was formerly the chief seat of power of the Huguenots. During the religious wars of France the privateers of Rochelle played havoc with the merchantmen of Catholic owners. After the massacre of St. Bartholomew the city withstood a siege six months, inflicted a loss of 20,000 men on the besiegers, and won out by a treaty granting liberty of worship to Calvinists. During the reign of Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu decided that the fortifications of the city were a menace to the king's authority. He ordered them dismantled, but was not obeyed. He carried on a siege by sea and land for eight months. The town was forced finally to capitulate in October, 1628, but not before the besiegers had constructed a vast mole in front of the city cutting off communication with the sea. During the expansive period of France in the New World, Rochelle was the chief center of commerce with Canada. The city is now one of the strongly fortified ports of France. The harbor is one of the safest on the French coast. There are many ancient buildings with interesting turrets, towers, and belfries. The city is a center of trade in oysters, salt, barrels, copper and iron articles, and coal briquettes. The population is now about 30,000.