Royan – Day 10
We offer you a day full of history and restoration that will take you from knight to sailor.
Château Fort de Saint Jean d’Angle
Welcome to the Middle Ages, wake up the Knight or Princess in you for 3 hours of unforgettable moments to share with your family. All dressed up, and equipped with a game of riddles for the children and a quiz for the adults, you will cross the medieval garden and meet all the animals of the farmyard before setting off to attack the castle. From the top of the ramparts you can see all our war machines and our motte castrales with its fort from the year 1000. With more than 30 games on 15 hectares of parkland, there is something for all the family, young and old.
The Transbordeur
At a time when crossing the Charente by ferry was not enough, they had to find a solution that would not be constrained by tides or weather conditions and would not interfere with navigation, particularly that of ships from the Rochefort Arsenal. In 1897, Ferdinand Arnodin proposed the project of a Transbordeur Bridge. It was in operation from 1900 to 1967 and was replaced by larger, modern buildings. Thanks to numerous restorations, it is still used today for visitors on foot or by bicycle. Do not hesitate to visit the Maison du Transbordeur which is an interpretation centre related to the history of this bridge.
The Royal Corderie
After crossing the Charente either by the Transbordeur or by car thanks to the Viaduc de l’estuaire de la charente, head for the Corderie Royale. From the land to the sea, from the hemp fields to the king’s ships, come and meet the tailors and their work. Enter the workshops, discover the daily gestures of the workers, the transformation of the material, the evolution of techniques, the activity of a large factory. The tour is aimed at adults but has also been designed for children. Another must for children at the Corderie is learning how to tie sea knots! And to make the visit even more fun, there are quizzes at the end of each room to see if you are the best spinner or the best sailor. After learning to tie knots you are finally ready to join a ship.
The Hermione
Visit the Arsenal maritime de Rochefort, which is an important part of France’s maritime heritage. Between 1666 and 1927, more than 550 sailing and motor ships took shape here. From galleys to cruisers, from frigates to submarines, many ships have left their mark on French history. Among these ships built in Rochefort, we find L’Hermione, a frigate of 12 that sailed between 1779 and 1793. This frigate is notably known for having allowed the young Marquis de La Fayette to join the American insurgents fighting for their independence. Today, after a long construction period of 17 years followed by 5 sailing campaigns between the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea, the replica of L’Hermione and her workshops can be visited in the Arsenal des Mers in Rochefort. So get ready to embark!
