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. |
