Town Hall, La Rochelle: Outer Gothic wall and belfry

The complex has a Late Gothic wall with crenelated battlements and belfry (1498) enclosing a courtyard with a highly ornate Renaissance building. The facade is decorated with the arms of La Rochelle and Henry IV, and numerous gargoyles, statues, and carvings. There is a gallery (loggia) with nine arches borne by Corinthian columns. The decoration includes the monograms of Henry IV and Marie de Medici and statues of the cardinal virtues.