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La Rochelle, Rochefort and Royan |
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SIGHT SEEING AROUND OUR GITES
SAINTES
COGNAC
POITIERS
ANGOULEME
LA ROCHELLE
ROYAN
ROCHEFORT
COAST and BEACHES
CHATEAUX
BORDEAUX |
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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. |
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La Rochelle Just 1hrs easy drive along clear country roads, even in summer, La Rochelle is a must for guests to La Grange du Moulin and Les Vallaies. For a 1000 years, La Rochelle, 'The Rebel' has manifested its unique identity in many ways. Democratic before democracy was fashionable (it elected its first mayor in 1199), Protestant whilst the rest of France was Catholic and protected by kings whilst the country was suffering from overtaxing. Today it is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with fantastic shopping and world class restaurants. A place to see and be seen, cafes, sea food restaurants, great architecture and street entertainers, no wonder it is Frances third most visited city and attracts over 3 million visitors each year. |
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Royan's history as a resort dates from the later 19th century. From the 1890s to the Second World War it was both fashionable and popular, especially after the introduction of holidays with pay in France, in 1935.
During the Second World War, two German fortresses defended the Gironde Estuary: Gironde M�ndung Nord (or Royan) and Gironde M�ndung S�d (or La Pointe de Grave). The Allied operation, which was directed against the German forces on �le d'Ol�ron and at the mouth of the Gironde River, began with a general naval bombardment at 0750 on 15 April 1945, some 10 months after D-Day. For five days the US naval task force assisted the French ground forces with naval bombardment and aerial reconnaissance in the assault on Royan and the Pointe de Grave area at the mouth of the Gironde. American B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator aircraft carried out aerial bombing missions, including extensive and pioneering use of napalm. During this heavy bombardment by Allied forces, the centre of the town was almost entirely destroyed.
For families Royan is better known for its beaches and animal park at la palmyre. |
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