Camping La Rochelle » Things to do » Tourism at the Arsenal des Mers
Discover Arsenal of the Seas

Discover the Arsenal of the Seas

Visit the Arsenal of the Seas

The visit of Rochefort “New town of the 17th century” is an essential step of your holidays at the campsite l’Abri-Côtier in Charente-Maritime. Labeled “City of Art and History”, the maritime city offers great opportunities for visits and walks.

After discovering the city center and its many monuments, discover the Arsenal des Mers with 4 exceptional places : the Corderie Royale, the Hermione, the National Museum of the Navy, and the Accrot-Mâts!

You will access the arsenal by passing under the Sun Gate.

Today it is a very pleasant place to walk, picnic or cycle.

Visit Corderie Royale

The Royal Rope Factory

Visit the Corderie Royale, national factory of ropes for naval ships until 1867.

The visitor will be able to discover this flagship activity of Rochefort since the 17th century through a museographic tour :

  • The screening of a film telling the story of La Corderie
  • The permanent exhibition “Ropes and ropes” and rope making demonstrations
  • The space dedicated to the use of ropes on board, with a “seamanship” workshop (marine knots)
  • Temporary exhibitions
Exhibitions

Discover the Hermione

The Hermione, it is aboard this legendary ship that La Fayette crosses the Atlantic to set foot in America in 1780. The frigate disappeared at sea in 1793 to be rebuilt identically in the heart of the Arsenal, more than two centuries later, under the gaze of visitors.

For 3 months, from September to November 2014, the Hermione sailed on the Atlantic and the Iroise Sea. The tests proving conclusive, the association can turn to the realization of the American trip.

On April 18, 2015, after a stopover in La Rochelle, the Hermione embarked on her long voyage to the United States from Rochefort. A trip of more than 5 months, with a return to Rochefort on August 29, 2015.

From June to July 2016, the Hermione visits Saint Malo, before joining the maritime festivals of Brest!

In 2018 the Hermione made its second major trip. The voyage takes the frigate from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The journey begins with a stopover in La Rochelle. The next stages are Tangier, Sète, Toulon, Marseille, Port-Vendres, Nice, Bastia, Portimão, Pasaia, Bordeaux before returning to Rochefort on June 17, 2018.

In spring 2019, the Hermione sailed to Normandy to participate in the Rouen Armada, a nautical gathering celebrating its 30th anniversary from June 6 to 16, 2019. The frigate visits the cities of Cherbourg, Ouistreham, Dieppe, Rives-en-Seine, Rouen for a return to Rochefort on July 5, 2019.

Visit the National Maritime Museum

The Musée de la Marine de Rochefort is a national museum, established in the Hôtel de Cheusses located in the historic heart of Rochefort.

After the foundation of the arsenal in 1666, it housed the command, then the quartermaster of the Navy and in the 19th century the Commissariat de la Marine.

In 1927, the arsenal was removed and a naval museum opened in the building in 1936. A magnificent portal gives access to the courtyard of this historic monument now transformed into a national museum.

It is one of the most visited museums in the city with 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom are tourists during the summer season.

It is one of the eight museums of Rochefort, it is one of the most attractive museums of the city and the department of Charente-Maritime.

It is also part of the Historic Route of the Treasures of Saintonge, a circuit of discovery of the monuments of Saintonge .

The Accro-Mâts

Looking for an activity with family or friends close to the campsite in Charente-Maritime ?

L’Accro-mâts is accessible to everyone, from 6 to 86 years old and beyond.
Become a gabier for a morning or an afternoon on this frigate-shaped platform that reminds us of the Hermione! Test the different courses for young and old and fight your fears on this frigate.

Discover Brouage, Port-des-Barques and Marais Poitevin