Free walking tours in Rochefort and what to see

Must-sees

Rochefort was born in the 17th century as Louis XIV’s naval arsenal on the Charente estuary, and its grid of straight streets still shows it. Its great symbol is the Corderie Royale, an extremely long building on the riverbank where rope was made for the ships, surrounded by gardens. In the old arsenal are the dry docks and installations of the military port, now devoted to telling its story.

The National Navy Museum occupies the Hôtel de Cheusses, one of the town’s oldest buildings, and brings together large ship models, tools, paintings and sculptures on shipbuilding. In the centre you can visit the house of Pierre Loti, the writer and naval officer, with lavishly decorated interiors, and the old School of Naval Medicine. To the south, the Martrou transporter bridge crosses the Charente with a suspended gondola. Rochefort is also a spa town.

Free tours and guided visits

Rochefort has no regular free walking tours. What Civitatis offers is a ticket for the National Navy Museum, which you explore on your own. The museums and the arsenal can be visited independently without a guide. From the nearby coast, boats leave for the Île d’Aix and for a close-up look at Fort Boyard.

How long to spend

You need a whole day for the Corderie, the arsenal and the National Navy Museum. If you also want to see Pierre Loti’s house and the transporter bridge, add another half day. With three days you can go to Fouras, cross to the Île d’Aix or visit the citadel of Brouage, among the marshes.

Where to stay

The most practical place to stay is the centre, with hotels, apartments and guesthouses a short distance from the Corderie and the museums. Near the thermal baths there are residences designed for long spa stays. If you prefer the sea, Fouras, about fifteen minutes away, has hotels and campsites by the beaches and the landing stage for the Île d’Aix.