At Rochefort is Louis XIV's magnificent naval dockyard. Here hundreds
of sailing ships were constructed, fitted out and repaired before setting
out to sea. Frances equivalent of Chatham. At one point the dockyards
employed over half of Rochefort's population. However the yards were
closed in 1926 due to the advent of steamships and later heavily
bombed in the 1940's.
Some parts have survived and the Hermione, the frigate sailed by La
Fayette to the Amercias, is currently being reconstructed. This is a
fabulous place to visit for young and old, all the original ship building
techniques are being utilised.
The Corderie Royale, the Royal Rope Making Factory was renovated
in the 1970s and is another great place to visit, particularly on a rainy
day.
of sailing ships were constructed, fitted out and repaired before setting
out to sea. Frances equivalent of Chatham. At one point the dockyards
employed over half of Rochefort's population. However the yards were
closed in 1926 due to the advent of steamships and later heavily
bombed in the 1940's.
Some parts have survived and the Hermione, the frigate sailed by La
Fayette to the Amercias, is currently being reconstructed. This is a
fabulous place to visit for young and old, all the original ship building
techniques are being utilised.
The Corderie Royale, the Royal Rope Making Factory was renovated
in the 1970s and is another great place to visit, particularly on a rainy
day.
| ROCHEFORT - a great place to visit when staying at our Gites in the Charente Maritime |
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Our boys absolutely love the
Hermione tour. There are
information boards specifically
designed for children and definitely
capture their imagination. For
parents with children over the age
of six, the 'hard hat' tour is brilliant.
You must reserve the tour well in
advance which can be done from
their web site, but its well worth it as
you get taken right inside the ship
and right down to the bottom - truly
fascinating !
Hermione tour. There are
information boards specifically
designed for children and definitely
capture their imagination. For
parents with children over the age
of six, the 'hard hat' tour is brilliant.
You must reserve the tour well in
advance which can be done from
their web site, but its well worth it as
you get taken right inside the ship
and right down to the bottom - truly
fascinating !