Oceana Lumina in Rochefort, an unlikely visit at nightfall

There are places that promise a journey, and others that immerse you body and soul. Are you ready to experience a sensory odyssey ? This is precisely the experience that the Charente-Maritime Guide had in Rochefort, an emblematic city of French maritime history. Here, the naval past subtly blends with an unexpected modernity.

In the heart of the Corderie Royale, steeped in history, a new attraction has emerged, inviting an exploration of a completely different kind: Oceana Lumina. Far from the frigates and shipyards, follow this luminous journey into the mysterious depths of the ocean.

The promise of an epic adventure with family or friends that you won't soon forget!

Everything you need to know before taking the plunge

To take part in this adventure, you can buy your tickets directly online or at the Rochefort tourist office.

Several time slots are available after dark, between 10:15 p.m. and 11 p.m.

With your tickets in hand, the organizers will meet you 15 minutes before the indicated time at the entrance to the Arsenal des Mers, next to the atmospheric bar Le Rade de la Méduse. You can park in the city center or in the car park near the Musée de la Marine.

What to expect? A few subtle clues: a soft blue light or a distant melody evoking the lapping of waves already begin to awaken our senses.

Right on time, the barriers open to the world of Oceana Lumina.

At the heart of Oceana Lumina

The path is marked by blue lights on the ground. A large illuminated display, “ Oceana Lumina,” tells us we are in the right place. After a few meters, a person welcomes us to the site and tells us that the experience will begin in a few minutes. In fact, it is recommended to wait until nightfall for a complete immersion.

No voiceover, only explanatory signs in French and English.

The call of the open sea

This is the first stop on the Oceana Lumina tour. We pass between the two luminous trees to embark on the adventure.

On the first wall, opposite, a map is projected to show us the route to take during the excursion. Ready to embark like the many sailors of the time? In any case, with the soundtrack, we are "in the thick of it."

The Heavenly Way

Let's continue along the path, still using the blue lights. The next stop is in the Rochefort Labyrinth.

As night falls, only blue beams of light are present to help us find our way. Around a bush, smoke billows out, throwing us a little off our feet. Is the exit this way? Or rather that way?

Visitors, like the Charente-Maritime Guide, cross paths for a few minutes until they find the exit for the rest of the experience.

The departure

After many adventures in the labyrinth, we are back on the cobbled paths of the Corderie Royale which rises before our eyes. Luminous quotes mark the path to leave us in this mysterious atmosphere.

Now, we are faced with characters. The lights swirl and we feel as if we are on the quayside of the port, during the sailors' farewells.

On the bridge

This is the Charente-Maritime Guide's favorite moment.

Visually, the experience is a living tableau. Light projections follow the imposing contours of the Corderie Royale's walls, transforming the centuries-old stone into a moving canvas of shadow puppets. Spaces are created where visitors can sit and immerse themselves, as if they were becoming explorers of the seabed, characters in this great oceanic story.

We suddenly find ourselves in the shoes of a sailor at the helm of the boat, a cook in front of his saucepans or even a naval musician.

Kids, like adults, are having a blast. We could spend hours laughing with family, friends, and even our teammates for the night.

The sunset

In the distance, our eyes are drawn to a bright light. Night is now well and truly present and the sunset becomes the star of the moment.

Small benches are set up for visitors to sit and watch the entertainment. Orange, red, white... Nothing better to calm the spirits after the previous activity.

Daydreaming

Bypassing the historic building, the Charente-Maritime Guide discovers new light effects.

The projections evoke the incessant movement of ocean currents and the reflections of the sun across the water's surface. It is a space where time seems suspended, inviting meditation and introspection. The colors blend and transform with infinite softness. The music becomes an aquatic lullaby and invites us to let ourselves be carried away by the flow of images. It is in this "reverie" that we can truly disconnect, let our minds wander and lose ourselves in the pure and ephemeral beauty of light art.

The storm

This section is a sensory explosion, a passage where the ocean reveals its raw and untamed power. The light projections become more intense. We are in the middle of a storm, right next to the Charente…

The soundtrack becomes more dramatic, with sounds of raging waves, deep rumblings and whistling winds. The atmosphere becomes chaotic. It is a moment when we feel the force of the elements, a vibrant immersion that shakes the senses and recalls the immensity and danger of the depths. From reverie to turmoil, there is only one step...

The Wild Island

"The Wild Island" offers a new change of atmosphere. This part transports us to unexplored shores, coastal ecosystems teeming with life. The projections depict lush vegetation, luminous waterfalls and marine fauna closer to the surface: seabirds, turtles, jellyfish and colorful fish evolve in a vibrant ballet. The sound atmosphere is enriched by birdsong, the sound of waves on the sand and animal life, creating a feeling of escape to an unspoiled paradise.

The big comeback

That's it! In the distance, the boat lights up with a thousand lights. We walk to the other side of the labyrinth to reach it.

Facing the immense Accro Mâts of the Corderie Royale, which rises majestically, and thanks to a video projector, we witness a breathtaking final spectacle. The projections transform the mast into a dizzying axis around which a grandiose visual narrative unfolds. It is a culminating point where all the themes of the ocean converge, a reminder of the grandeur and fragility of marine ecosystems. Light and sound unite to create a final symphony.

We come back up to the surface to leave the place, our heads full of memories.

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