Unlike many towns and villages in France which have their roots in Roman times or the Middle Ages, Rochefort was created in the 17th century as a defensive port, to protect the Atlantic coast from raids by the English enemy. All the streets are laid out in a very ordered grid, and many of the oldest buildings once had a military purpose, despite their attractive architecture. Home to several maritime and military museums, as well as some more curious tourist attractions, Rochefort also offers some pleasant outdoor features, such as the gardens on the banks of the River Charente and the small harbour known as the Bassin Laperouse.
Rochefort boasts several museums, mostly related to its military or maritime history. The Centre Internationale de la Mer is located within the Corderie Royale, the building that used to be the royal ropeworks. Featuring exhibits on the region’s importance in the maritime conflict with England, there are also lots of interactive displays which will keep children occupied, while the building itself is an impressive piece of 17th century architecture. The Musee de la Marine features hundreds of examples of model ships, while Musee d’Art et Histoire explains Rochefort’s beginnings, as well as featuring many works of art with a naval theme.
Other museums in the town offer more unusual exhibits, such as the Musee des Metiers de Mercure which features shop interiors from the early 20th century and the Maison Pierre Loti, named after the writer born in Rochefort. His house may look normal on the outside, but inside each room has been decorated in a fantastical style, such as a medieval banqueting hall, a Turkish room and one modelled on a mosque. Loti used to throw extravagant parties here, and after a just a few minutes inside you can see why!
The areas around Place Courbet are the most unspoilt, with rue Courbet in particular having changed little since the town was built in the 17th century. Next to the Corderie is the Bassin Laperouse, a small harbour that used to be home to warships, but is now used by pleasure craft, while the gardens of the Corderie itself feature unusual plants brought from abroad by sailors. Just outside the town is the Pont Transbordeur, built in 1900 and France’s only working transporter bridge. If you hang around for an hour or so, you might be lucky enough to see it in action!
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Rochefort? Then below is a selection of gites in Rochefort and villas in Rochefort that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
