 In 1864, the harbour of La Rochelle (area of the "Bassin à flot" behind the water locks), was the site for the maiden dive experiments of the first mechanically-powered submarine in the World, "Plongeur", commanded by Marie-Joseph-Camille Doré, a native of La Rochelle.During the Second World War, Germany established a submarine naval base at La Pallice (the main port of La Rochelle).A German stronghold, La Rochelle was the last French city to be liberated at the end of the war.