Rochefort

Rich in its maritime and military past, Rochefort is my destination for the day! I park not far from the Arsenal, near the public garden. Parking is chargeable. There is a large free car park with 1000 spaces, the Cours Roy-Bry, near the Rochefort cinema.

I head towards Place Colbert, well-known thanks to Jacques Demy's film, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. It's the central square of Rochefort. Everyone passes by, everyone stops for lunch... In short, it's THE place to be in the city ! I'm intrigued all the same by the beautiful fountain, which stands out in the square.

In the center of the square, the tide clock shows the state of the tide in real time. There's no doubt about it: I'm in a maritime town that hasn't lost any of its activity.

Then we head to the Saint-Louis church. The large columns with capitals in front of the entrance remind me of a courthouse. The bell tower is Renaissance style and somewhat ruins this idea. There are several statues inside. The walls are entirely painted. It has remained in its original state. It is a church full of character!

I stroll through the streets of Rochefort to discover its many shops. The architecture is very well designed with houses with tympanums engraved with dates, almost all symbols evocative of this maritime past. Each house surely housed someone important... The streets are cobbled, the palm trees are positioned one behind the other, as far as the eye can see. It's really pleasant!

There are even several historical panels allowing me to learn about the history of Rochefort or the streets.

Right in front of me, the Maison du Roy, today the command of the gendarmerie schools. The gate is imposing like all those on rue Victor Hugo. Further on, I head towards the Tour des Signaux, the first bell tower of the Saint-Louis church before serving as a communication point between the admiralty and the Charente harbor. This tower leads me straight to the Porte de l'Arsenal where I can visit the Musée de la Marine. This gate, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is impressive. It is also called "the Gate of the Sun" because the sun rises right in its axis. In the morning and evening, the spectacle is magnificent!

As I pass through the Arsenal gate, I see the Arsenal des Mers. Just a few years ago, you could admire the famous Hermione, the frigate that brought Lafayette to the United States during the War of Independence. Less than 20 years of work later, the reconstruction has set sail and is currently in the Bayonne harbor. A quick visit to the shop next door to pick up some souvenirs and I continue my journey.

From the accro-mâts, a sort of hook on a boat, and Le Rade de la Méduse, an adjacent snack bar, I can get to the Corderie Royale de Rochefort. Before that, I see a labyrinth and it's not just for kids! I decide to get lost in order to try to find the famous treasure ! A few twists and turns later, I finally find it. Large colored boats allow me to find my way and not get lost on the way back. This space is really very interesting, very nice to do with the family! Go get lost in the bushes so well laid out.

I arrive in front of the Corderie Royale. It's a large space with a beautiful garden and a beautiful view of the Charente. There's a lot of history in Rochefort and the town loves to share its heritage with its visitors. It's a pleasant tourist spot where I enjoy spending a few minutes.

Going up the steps opposite the rope factory, I come across the Potager du Roy. I love the characters made of plants. I push open the wrought iron gate and discover a very large vegetable garden, with several squares hosting several varieties of vegetables, aromatic plants... Everything is well signposted. I discover and rediscover new scents and new varieties.

You can easily spend a day in Rochefort, or even several days. There are so many things to do and see, between the museums, the Arsenal, the Corderie Royale, the shops, the Transporter Bridge... It's a historical jewel with an impressive heritage! I enjoyed getting lost in the streets, looking at the facades of the houses, looking for the little reference to this maritime and military past.

Don't hesitate to stop at the quays of the port of Rochefort, it's really very pleasant ;)

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