La Rochelle is a seaport located on the west coast of France along the Bay of Biscay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. It serves as the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.
As of 2021, the city had a population of 78,535 inhabitants, making it the most populated commune in its department. Within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, La Rochelle ranks as the fourth largest city following Bordeaux, Limoges, and Poitiers.