Grandeur and symmetry were the priorities of the founders of the town. For once the road sign seems in modest harmony.

Rochefort - a maritime town.

A town re-inventing itself.

Rochefort was a New Town in the 17th century when fashion and finance dictated that it should be an elegant town. It had only one purpose - to build and service vessels with which to parry the skirmishes of the English! That being the case the intermittent wars between the two countries can at least be thanked for being the catalyst for this fine architecture. The Corderie Royal (The Royal Rope Works) is said to be the longest industrial building of its period in Europe and it is certainly one of the prettiest. There are many other fine public and private properties on the rectangular grid of streets that form the city centre. It is not a resort as such being built some miles from the sea on one of the river Charente's last great bends. It has easy access though to the Châtelaillon to Fouras Coast (see our Area of that name) and is closely linked with the motorway network. After being deserted by the Navy the town is re-inventing itself and although still a little down at heel it could be a place on the way up.

The massive timbers being used to build the new Hermione begin to form the splay of the bows.

A novelist's house and a hero's ship.

Maritime history is the forte of this town. Whether resident or visiting there is much of that line to see. There are two nautical museums apart from the exhibits to be seen at the School of Historic Naval Medicine. House gurus might prefer a visit to the superbly furnished Maison de Pierre Loti (a late 19th century Naval Commander, traveller and novelist). Those intent on renovations might prefer to have a look around the continuing re-construction of an 18th century frigate 'l'Hermione'. In 1780 the original carried a charismatic military leader 'La Fayette' and his troops to America to join the settlers in their battles with the British forces. The new vessel is being fashioned using the techniques of the period.

Hundreds of begonias and boats.

If that's not enough there are more exhibitions - several with an engineering bent - to see. In contrast garden lovers may prefer to visit the Begonia Conservatory. The first collector to bring the plants to Europe from the West Indies did so at the behest of a certain M. Bégon - one of Rochefort's foundling fathers. In consequence some 850 varieties continue to be cultivated here in a great greenhouse. All in all the town seems to have used its history imaginatively and sensitively to create interesting attractions. Remember that the town has been in considerable decline and has lost its previous major industry. Might it not be a good time for investment as the place is making itself a force to be reckoned with? Others who might consider settling within the conurbation or nearby might be interested to note that two basins of the old dock system have now been converted into a marina with berths for some 400 vessels.