Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Rochefort, France

Established in the 17th century by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a prominent associate of Louis XIV, Rochefort is an elegant former naval town rich in historical significance.

Adjacent to the expansive Charente River lies the Royal Arsenal, which, by royal command, was to be the grandest and most aesthetically pleasing dockyard in existence.

With its forges, rope manufacturing facilities, dry docks, and a neoclassical hospital all meticulously preserved and restored, it is evident that Colbert achieved his ambitious vision.

The nearby islands within the Charente Estuary reflect Rochefort’s strategic military importance, featuring fortifications and batteries designed to deter enemy fleets from accessing the docks where numerous French vessels were constructed.

Let us examine the notable attractions in Rochefort:

1. The Arsenal Quarter

In the 1660s, Louis XIV designated a section of previously unoccupied marshland for his Royal Dockyard, with an explicit mandate for it to be the finest and largest in existence.

Over the next three centuries, 550 ships were constructed, fitted out, and launched from these docks. Numerous factories and educational institutions in the area feature captivating museums dedicated to the French Navy’s illustrious past.

This area is delightful for a leisurely stroll, adorned with grand old mills, forges, and other fascinating remnants of historic shipbuilding activities.

Take a moment to observe the expansive dry docks carved into the muddy banks, equipped with water pumps that facilitated meticulous repair of ship hulls.

2. La Frégate Hermione

The original Hermione was a frigate launched in 1779, renowned for transporting General Lafayette to America in support of the American Revolutionary War against Great Britain.

The vessel ran aground and was lost four years later, but in 1997, members of the Centre International de la Mer embarked on an extensive project to create a replica.

This endeavor took 17 years, and in 2015, the new Hermione successfully retraced the original ship’s Atlantic crossing of the 18th century.

The replica is currently docked in Rochefort; visitors can step aboard for a guided tour of this remarkable vessel, constructed from 400,000 individual pieces of wood and featuring 2,200 square meters of canvas for its sails.

3. Musée National de la Marine

This museum offers an opportunity to delve into France’s naval history and features a comprehensive collection of model ships, drawings, exquisite figureheads, maps, navigational tools, and various maritime artifacts.

Each exhibit is accompanied by detailed descriptions, and the museum provides insight into the somber history of the “bagnes,” grim prison ships where numerous prisoners of the Revolution perished.

The museum is housed in the splendid Hôtel de Cheusses, a structure predating much of Rochefort, built in the early 1600s.

It was constructed in a U-plan format by Adrien Lauzeré, who served as the first “valet de chambre” to King Henri IV.

4. Corderie Royale

A centerpiece of Louis XIV’s vision for the Rochefort Dockyards was the rope factory.

To manufacture rigging for warships, this building required significant length; thus, the sheer scale of the Corderie is impressive.

Established in 1666, it spans 374 meters and was a remarkable feat, given the marshy ground that supports the structure on oak rafts.

The museum within elaborates on hemp cultivation and demonstrates how these fibers were twisted into 200-meter lengths of rigging for 200 years until the introduction of metal cables.

5. Musée des Commerces d’Autrefois

Housed in a 19th-century warehouse, this museum encompasses 22 galleries that reconstruct the workshops and retail spaces of trades that have faded from modernity.

Visitors can experience settings such as a blacksmith’s forge, an old pharmacy, a millinery with an array of fedoras, an automotive garage, and a cognac distillery.

What enhances the museum’s immersive quality is the vast array of authentic artifacts from the early 20th century.

This includes the largest collection of French promotional materials in the nation: Beautiful vintage posters, advertisements, and signs grace the walls, augmented by containers, tools, and everyday items from 1900 through the Second World War.

6. Fort Boyard

This sea fort, located within the Pertuis d’Antioche straits, is well-known as the setting for an adventure-themed television game show that has been broadcast in France for 27 years and once gained international exposure in the 90s.

Constructed between 1805 and 1857, this oval fort could accommodate 250 personnel; however, advancements in artillery rendered it obsolete by the time of its completion.

Nonetheless, the fort’s striking presence remains captivating, and from Fouras, visitors can embark on a guided boat tour to encircle the fort and uncover some of its secrets.

7. Musée National de l’Ancienne École de Médecine Navale

The admission to the Naval Museum includes access to this exhibition, which offers a fascinating yet grim account of medicine at sea.

As with many attractions in Rochefort, the setting is remarkable, housed within the neoclassical southwest pavilion of the naval hospital.

Visitors can delve into 19th-century scientific practices by exploring the materials utilized to educate future medical professionals at this esteemed institution.

The library boasts 2,500 volumes, and guests can examine herbs gathered from diverse locales, as well as antique medical instruments, and specimens of human tissue preserved in old vials, including fetal specimens.

8. Rochefort-Martrou Transporter Bridge

This impressive 19th-century engineering marvel, standing at 66 meters, spans the Charente River a short distance downstream from the dockyards.

Designed by engineer Ferdinand Arnodin, it became one of the world’s first transporter bridges when it opened to traffic in 1900. Cables suspend a trolley 50 meters above the water, facilitating the transport of pedestrians and cyclists via a gondola across the river.

Although the bridge was replaced by a newer version in the 60s and ultimately became redundant due to a roadway crossing, it has been restored to operational status since the 1980s and is now a beloved feature of the skyline.

9. Musée de l’Aéronautique Navale

Retired fighter pilots offer guided tours of Rochefort’s former naval airbase on Tuesdays and Saturdays, an event that aviation enthusiasts should not overlook.

The hangar houses 33 aircraft, including some commonly found in aviation museums, alongside rarer specimens such as the Dewoitine D.520 from World War II and the peculiar “flying banana” helicopter.

Additionally, there is an extensive display of 1,500 models, ranging from zeppelins to stealth jets and rocket planes from the World War II era.

10. Conservatoire du Bégonia

Rochefort played a significant role in the importation of various exotic plants to Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

One key figure in this endeavor was botanist Charles Plumier, who discovered the begonia and named it after Rochefort’s Intendant, Michel Bégon.

Within a spacious greenhouse, the Begonia Conservatory serves as a testament to this legacy, boasting over 1,500 species and hybrids of begonia, representing the largest collection in Europe.

Guided tours are available from spring to autumn.

11. Jardin des Retours

Lying just adjacent to the dockyards by the Charente River, this park was initially landscaped in the 17th century but fell into neglect until the renovations of the rope factory within its bounds during the 1980s.

The park features distinct gardens with maritime themes and is named for the ships that returned from the New World laden with exotic plants.

The Jardin de la Galissonnière is a charming magnolia garden named in honour of the individual who first brought these seeds to Europe from the Americas in 1711. The Jardin des Amériques features a yew-tree maze commemorating legendary French naval battles.

12. L’Île Madame

The first of two islands in the Charente Estuary, the uninhabited Île Madame is connected to the mainland via a one-kilometer causeway of pebbles and sand.

The most convenient crossing is by bicycle, which also allows for exploration of the island’s intriguing sights.

It is advisable to check tide schedules to avoid becoming stranded! Nearby, a plaque commemorates the numerous priests who perished aboard prison ships off the island’s southeastern coast during the Revolution.

A cross of pebbles marks their mass grave, and visitors can explore a small 18th-century fort constructed on Île Madame to ward off British incursions.

13. L’Île d’Aix

Take the ferry from Fouras for a 30-minute journey to the larger Île d’Aix, which still remains small, with only about 200 inhabitants.

The allure of this island lies within its woodlands, vineyards, extensive beaches, and tranquil sandy coves.

The village is charming, featuring single-storey homes often adorned with colorful hollyhocks during the summer.

These dwellings are protected by formidable fortifications, serving as a reminder that the critical Rochefort Arsenal is situated just upstream.

This island also served as Napoleon’s final refuge at the conclusion of the 100 Days in 1815, as he intended to flee to America from here but ultimately surrendered to the British aboard HMS Bellerophon on July 15.

14. Brouage Citadel

During the 16th and 17th centuries, La Rochelle to the north served as a stronghold for the Huguenots.

Consequently, the village of Brouage was fortified into a comprehensive stronghold by Cardinal Richelieu as a bastion of Catholicism.

Today, it is recognized as a celebrated “Grand Site de France,” a designation shared with only 32 other locations nationwide.

Stroll along the extensive network of bastions, watchtowers, and walls that once accommodated 4,000 soldiers.

The village, characterized by its grid of cobblestone streets, presents a unique ambiance distinct from other French locales.

Consider biking from Rochefort to experience the local wildlife, including egrets and herons amidst the salt flats and oyster farms along the route.

15. Cuisine

The low-lying regions surrounding the Charente estuary serve as a unique habitat where freshwater meets the sea, creating optimal conditions for oysters and other shellfish.

Gourmands will find themselves in paradise, as the region offers scallops, mussels, whelks, winkles, and clams that are exceptionally fresh.

Prepared in Charentaise sauce, which consists of crème fraîche, a dash of curry powder, cognac, and garlic, these dishes are beautifully accompanied by muscadet wine.

As for oysters, there exists a rich tradition surrounding this delicacy, with over 100 farms located on both sides of the Charente.

For those interested in oyster cultivation, tours are available that detail the four-year process of raising the perfect oyster, culminating in a tasting directly from the water alongside a glass of crisp white wine.