Discover Rochefort
and the surrounding area
Must-sees in Rochefort
Discover our selection of must-see things to do in Rochefort during your stay at our campsite in Charente-Maritime.
The arsenal of the seas, an exceptional maritime heritage
L’Arsenal des Mers = 1 Pass, 3 sites. The opportunity for all visitors to push open the Arsenal’s doors and embark on a career as a worker, engineer, sailor, captain or inventor, thanks to a one-way ticket that will take you to all 3 sites: the Corderie Royale, the L’Hermione shipyard and the Musée de la Marine.
Maritime heritage, the city’s pride and joy
The Arsenal maritime, closed in 1927, then severely damaged during the Second World War, before falling into oblivion for many years, is today the town’s main tourist attraction.
The maritime heritage of the town of Rochefort fills all its inhabitants with great pride, as demonstrated by the renovation and rehabilitation of La Corderie Royale in 1985 and the titanic adventure of the identical reconstruction of the Hermione Frigate from 1997 to 2015.
For two and a half centuries, 550 ships were built in the Rochefort Arsenal. Why not rebuild one and repeat its voyage to America? In April 2015, the replica of the mythical Hermione, the frigate that carried La Fayette to the American War of Independence, set sail on a memorable maiden voyage.
Today, she has taken up residence in the dry dock next to the one where she was born, to the delight of visitors from all over the world.
The Corderie Royale, just a couple of hundred meters from the Freedom Frigate, has a section at the far end that can be visited: the Centre International de la Mer, which features a permanent exhibition on the history of this 373-meter building dedicated to the manufacture of ropes for the ships of the Sun King’s fleet.
With spinning, commetting and seamanship workshops, ropes will hold no secrets for you!
To complete your visit in a more historical vein, and plunge centuries back into the foundations of Colbert’s city, discover the magnificent collections of the Musée de la Marine, located a stone’s throw from the Hermione shipyard without the Hôtel de Cheusses.
Founded by Louis XIV, the museum houses the most precious witnesses to the life of the naval arsenal. Antique models of ships, machines, tools, paintings, models, sculptures, weapons… The museum tells the story of a human and collective adventure. The replica of the Raft of the Medusa has been on display in the museum’s courtyard since its creation for the filming of a documentary.
The Naval Medical School: a unique place in France
This naval medical school, founded in 1722, was the first of its kind in the world. For almost 250 years, it trained surgeons on board warships.
In 1788, it moved into a pavilion of the new maritime hospital, then one of the most modern in the Kingdom, where it remains today, in its original state, frozen in the mid-19th century.
Rochefort’s medical officers, actively involved in voyages of exploration around the world, built up collections of human anatomy, ethnography and natural history, as well as an immense library. This powerful and moving visit will leave you with an indefinable feeling.
The Transbordeur Bridge, a model of architectural elegance
When visiting the département, be sure to pay a visit to this majestic edifice, which has elegantly spanned the Charente River for over 120 years. The Pont Transbordeur, located not far from the entrance to Rochefort harbor, had to replace the ferry at the end of the 19ᵉ century to allow people to cross without hindering maritime navigation. Directed by Ferdinand Arnodin, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, the work took 27 months, and the Pont Transbordeur de Martrou was inaugurated on July 29, 1900.
In operation until 1967, it then gave way to the lift-span bridge, itself demolished in 1991 to make way for the Charente Estuary viaduct, commissioned the same year to absorb the ever-increasing traffic while facilitating the flow of sea traffic.
After a long period of neglect, the Pont Transbordeur was reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in 1994. It closed between 2016 and July 2020 for renovation work. The bridge resumed its crossings on July 29, 2020, its 120th birthday! A trip across the bridge is a must, as is a visit to the Maison du Transbordeur, an interpretation center dedicated to the history of the bridge. In a fun, digital space, discover the secrets of the structure and learn the fascinating story of its inventor, Ferdinand Arnodin. The ferry is also one of the iconic filming locations for Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.
Rochefort Museums
The museum of shops from yesteryear
Take a trip back in time at the Musée des commerces d’autrefois in Rochefort, and immerse yourself in the world of shops in the 1900s, in the era of boutiques and small, everyday trades.
Treat yourself to an immersive visit to a collection of advertising objects, accessories and antique tools.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of yesteryear with this life-size reconstruction, in a warehouse dating back to 1900 and spanning over 1000 m. You’ll discover all the little shops of yesteryear (gas station, bicycle repair shop, bistro, hat shop, pharmacy, grocery store, photographer, shoemaker, bazaar…)!
Pierre Loti’s house
Under renovation since 2012, La Maison de Pierre Loti is a must-see in the historic heart of the town. Labelled a Musée de France, this magnificent residence is the childhood home of the famous author of Aziadé, Ramuntcho and Pêcheur d’Islande.
Its atmosphere is at once secretive, enchanting and exotic, in the image of the famous writer Pierre Loti, whose real name was Julien Viaud (1850-1923).
This historic monument, with its many surprising rooms (the Renaissance hall, the Gothic hall, the mosque, the Turkish salon, the Arab room…) can be visited virtually during the renovation period (scheduled to reopen in 2023).
A regular presentation of the collections and a virtual tour are available at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Hèbre de Saint-Clément, just a few hundred meters away (at the corner of Rues Charles de Gaulle and Pierre Loti).
The Musée Hèbre de Saint-Clément
The Musée Hèbre brings together the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and the Heritage Department, responsible for implementing the Ville d’art et d’histoire label. It is located in the main market street, close to Place Colbert and the Town Hall.
It aims to highlight the past of this singular 17ᵉ century new town that is Rochefort: a gallery of paintings of great diversity, collections of objects from the Oceanic, African or Asian continents, testimonies to the many exchanges between this maritime town and the world.
The begonia conservatory
It was in Central America, at the end of the XVIIᵉ century, that a botanist, Father Plumier, found the first flowers, which he named begonia in honor of the intendant of Rochefort, Michel Bégon.
The begonia has become theemblem of the city, which has dedicated a conservatory to it, where you can discover the world’s various species in a 1,000 m² greenhouse (it’s one of the richest families in the plant kingdom), over 1,500 species from 3 continents, and more than 12,000 hybrids obtained by man since 1845! (guided tours only)
Rochefort thermal baths
Drawn from the depths of La Rochefort, thewarm, highly mineralized thermal spring water contains analgesic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties that offer excellent results in the treatment of rheumatism, phlebology, dermatology and oral-lingual mucosal disorders.
The fluvio-marine clays containing concentrated algae and micro-organisms, mixed with the ferruginous water to produce a warm mud bursting with active ingredients, are another of the region’s treasures that have made Rochefort’s thermal cures such a success.
Rochefort market
A must-see for those passing through Rochefort: the magnificent market held in the rue de l’Arsenal, a stone’s throw from the Hermione shipyard and the Corderie Royale, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
A market of the four seasons, it brings together greengrocers, market gardeners and producers… The fish, shellfish and seafood market beneath the majestic halles is a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, the story of a world-famous band
Jacques Demy, author of Umbrellas of Cherbourgleft an indelible mark on the city of Colbert with the musical film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort starring Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Jacques Perrin, Danielle Darrieux, Michel Piccoli and the dazzling Gene Kelly. Michel Legrand’s music still resonates in our hearts.
The twins are omnipresent, dancing as they do on Place Colbert and in the streets of the city, much to the delight of fans of this Franco-American production worthy of the greatest Broadway shows.
Things to discover near Rochefort
Fouras-les-bains and Ile d’Aix
Who hasn’t heard of Père Fouras? Well, it takes its name from the seaside resort of Fouras-Les-Bains, just a few kilometers from Rochefort. Situatedon a peninsula at the mouth of the Charente River, this town is not only the departure point for candidates to Fort Boyard, but also the home port of the ferry boat to theIle d’Aix.
Stretching over 4 km, this pretty seaside town, with its five beaches, three harbours, Fort Vauban, oyster farm and lush, relaxing setting, is one of the region’s most sought-after tourist attractions. Opposite the town is the Ile d’Aix, a 129-hectare parcel of land that epitomizes the diversity of the Charente-Maritime coastline.
An island of tranquility, it is only accessible by boat, and can only be discoveredon foot, by bicycle or in a horse-drawn carriage… The island where Napoleon was last seen before his exile to St. Helena, offers a panoramic view of the Charente archipelago , with a breathtaking view of Fort Boyard to the west, with theisland of Oléron in the background; the island of Ré to the north and the island of Madame to the south.
Port des Barques and Île Madame
An oyster-farming peninsula some fifteen kilometers from Rochefort, the fishing village of Port des Barques lives to the rhythm of nature and the tides. On the estuary side, the low-lying houses and magnificent seaside villas that make up the waterfront seem to protect the village from the hustle and bustle of the sea.
On the ocean side, a string of carrelets (wooden pontoons on stilts used for tidal net fishing) follow the cliff to offer breathtaking views. It’s from Port des Barques that you can access another island in the “pertuis”: Ile Madame, accessible via a pass that opens up at low tide. A wild, car-free island that can be explored on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage.
Saint-Jean-d’Angle castle
Visit thedepartment’s only fortified castle, the Château de Mélusine, in Saint-Jean-d’Angle. Bonus: you can dress up in costume before embarking on an enigmatic tour of the Middle Ages .
A total immersion experience, with the discovery of the vegetable garden, the farmer’s house and its animals, Eleanor’s rose garden, the barefoot path… In the dwelling, different scenes of castle life animate your visit before the ascent to the ramparts.
Outside, cross the orchard, then the siege camp to discover catapults and a trebuchet still in use, ancient games, the reconstitution of the motte castrale… With this visit, the Middle Ages and fortified castles will no longer hold any secrets for you!
