Introduction

Santa Rosalia began its existence as a French-occupied manganese mining town in the 1870s, and the Gallic influence remains.

The prevailing architectural style is French Provencal throughout this picturesque seaport, which was one of the last ports in the world to be served by the age of sailing. Its protected manmade harbor boasts a recently constructed marina.

The town claims to have some of the best bakeries in all Mexico (probably thanks to the French), El Boleo being a favorite. It definitely has an unusual local church — a prefabricated, 19th-century iron structure built in Paris and shipped halfway around the world.

The designer was long believed to have been none other than Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, but researchers now believe it was built by a fellow student of Eiffel’s who studied at the same academy.

There’s ferry service to Guaymas three times a week (T. (615) 152 1246; www.ferrysantarosalia.com).