Rochefort - a hidden gem!

At the end of the Charente river - where, in past times, barges delivered barrels of Cognac to meet the ships taking them on to England, the Netherlands and the 'New World' - stands the majestic city of Rochefort. 

Rich in maritime heritage, this port town was designed as a 'new town' in the 17th century by Jean-Baptiste Colbert at the request of King Louis XIV as a hub for the French navy (to reduce its reliance on neighbouring La Rochelle which had close Protestant links with England!) 

Today, the smart town centre buzzes with cafés, boutiques and restaurants, and there's plenty to see strolling around the harbour: public artworks, performing artists and musicians bring the area to life against the backdrop of the elegant architecture. This strategic port doesn't only thrive on tourism: Rochefort has a thriving aeronautics industry as well as being France's third largest exporter of timber.

A highlight of our Cognac tour, Rochefort is packed with so much history we could do a thesis on it! We stay in Rochefort for two nights, but we can pack a lot of experiences into two days. Let's take a look at what makes Rochefort a gem on our Atlantic Coast tour.

Rochefort highlights

  • The Corderie Royale
  • The National Naval Museum 
  • The replica Hermione ship
  • The Pont Transbordeur
  • The Rochefort Arsenal

Corderie Royale

corderie france cycling

Starting from our hotel (just by a quick walk across the lawns!) is the Corderie Royale. The Royal Rope Factory (Corderie Royale) is a must-visit for anyone interested in naval history. The rope factory was established in the 17th century and supplied the French navy with ropes and cables for over 300 years.

At the time it was the longest building in the world, due to the space required to create the lengths of rope for rigging the fighting ships. Today, it's a fascinating museum and cultural centre with exhibits on the history of rope-making, shipbuilding, and navigation.

National Naval Museum

The National Naval Museum (Musée National de la Marine): This museum is another highlight for naval history enthusiasts. It has an impressive collection of ship models, paintings, and artefacts that showcase the fascinating history of the French navy.

L'Hermione replica ship

hermione french cycling holiday

The Hermione is a replica of the famous ship that carried the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States during the American Revolution.

It was built using traditional shipbuilding mastercrafts and is a magnificent sight to behold. There is a permanent exhibition detailing the 18th century techniques, and you can also go on board to get an insight into the challenges and conditions faced by seafarers of the era.

Pont Transbordeur

rochefort biking france

The Pont Transbordeur, also known as the Rochefort-Martrou Transporter Bridge, is a unique bridge located in Rochefort, France. It was built in 1900 and spans the Charente River, connecting the towns of Rochefort and Echillais.

Unlike a traditional bridge, the Pont Transbordeur uses a suspended gondola to transport people and vehicles across the river. The gondola is suspended from a high gantry tower on one side of the river, and travels across the river on a cable. The gondola could carry up to 120 people and 8 cars at a time. This enabled tall ships to sail down the estuary without needing to open a swing bridge.

The Pont Transbordeur was in operation until 1967, when it was closed due to structural concerns. However, it was later restored and reopened to the public in 1994 as a historical monument. Today, visitors on foot or on bicycles can ride the gondola across the river and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape from a unique perspective. We cycle into Rochefort on the bridge, and use it for the optional excursion the following day - it's a great way of keeping the biking to car-free routes!

Other highlights

Rochefort has all of the attractions of a substantial French provincial city - great shopping, a lively centre with shady squares and fountains, and lined with cafés and bars which are perfect for people-watching!

The Rochefort Arsenal: This historic complex was once a major center for naval construction and is now a cultural center that hosts concerts, exhibitions, and other events.

Along the river you will find the Gardens of the Cordouan Lighthouse offering a peaceful oasis with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. 

The city is worthy of a longer stay than we can manage, but we get the highlights in - maybe you'll be tempted to return or spend a few days at the end of your trip?

Join our knowledgeable guides on a cycle tour and stay in Rochefort

 

If you would like to experience the magic of Rochefort, join our Cognac and the Atlantic Coast guided cycle tour.

During the tour we also visit these highlights of the western coast of France:

  • La Rochelle - our favourite alternative to the Mediterranean hotspots
  • Cycling along the wild and rugged Atlantic coastline
  • The beautiful island of Il de Ré - crossing the bridge on bikes
  • Riding along the waterways of the Brouage marshes. (See herons, swans, egrets and magnificent storks)
  • Saintes and the Roman Amphitheatre built in the 1st Century BC
  • A guided Cognac tasting 
  • One of our famous picnics at the Abbaye de Fontdouce

Ask us a question about our French Atlantic Coast cycling tour

We hope you are intrigued by the idea exploring this beautiful French coastline on two wheels. If you have questions about particular tours, what to pack, or about e-bikes as an option, don't hesitate to ask. Here's how you can get in touch with us: