While Protestantism was persecuted by the government at Paris it was often protected by cities of the south.

[Sidenote: La Rochelle] The most noteworthy of these was La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast near Bordeaux.

Though coming late to the support of the Reformation, its conversion was thorough and lasting.

To protect the new religion it successfully asserted its municipal freedom almost to the point of independence.

Like the Dutch Beggars of the Sea its armed privateers preyed upon the commerce of Catholic powers, a mode of warfare from which the city derived immense booty.
The Huguenots tried but failed to get foreign allies.