On the east side of the old harbour behind the Tour St-Nicolas is the quartier du Gabut, the one-time fishermen's quarter of wooden cabins and sheds, now converted into bars, shops and eating places. Beyond it lies an extensive dock and the market and service buildings of the old fishing port. This is now the Musée Maritime (daily: April–June & Sept 10am–6.30pm; July & Aug 10am–7.30pm; Oct–March 2–6.30pm; €7), which includes an interesting collection of superannuated vessels as well as land-based exhibits. A further ten-minute walk brings you to the Musée des Automates (daily: Feb–May, Sept & Oct 10am–noon & 2–6pm; June–Aug 9.30am–7pm; Nov–Jan 2–6pm; €7) on rue de la Désirée, a fascinating collection of three hundred automated puppets, drawing you into an irresistible fantasy world. Some of the puppets are interesting from a historical angle; others, like one that writes the name "Pierrot", are interesting from a mechanical viewpoint. Further down the same street is the Musée des Modèles Réduits (same hours & prices as the Automates, joint ticket for both museums €10). The prices may be a bit prohibitive for families – especially considering the whole tour takes barely half an hour – but this does combine well with a visit to the neighbouring Musée des Automates. Scale models of every variety and era are on show, starting with cars and including models of a submerged shipwreck and La Rochelle train station.The Port des Minimes is a large modern marina development with mooring for thousands of yachts, about 2km south of the old harbour. Bus #10 from place Verdun will get you there, as will the more entertaining bus de mer, a small boat which runs from the old port to Port des Minimes, stopping off at avenue Marillac en route (April–June & Sept Sat & Sun hourly 10am–noon & 2–7pm; July & Aug half-hourly 10am–12.30pm & 1.30–11pm; Oct–March hourly 10am–noon & 2–6pm; €1.52 one way), otherwise it's a thirty-minute walk along the waterfront. There are shops, restaurants, bars and apartments, and the young and beautiful flock out here at weekends and on summer evenings to parade on the beautiful plage des Minimes. Right next to the beach is the spectacular aquarium (daily: April–June & Sept 9am–8pm, last entry 6.30pm; July & Aug 9am–11pm, last entry 9.30pm; Oct–March 10am–8pm, last entry 6.30pm; tel 05.46.34.00.00; www.aquarium-larochelle.com; adults €10, under 18s €7).
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