Harbour

Ponton Plaisance

Name: Ponton Plaisance
Address: Rochefort, FR

Type: Harbour

Waiting pontoon on the Charente river just downstream of Rochefort's locked marina, for boats holding off outside the lock window.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach up the Charente from the estuary roughly 15 nautical miles above Fort Boyard. The pontoon sits on the right bank in front of the town, below the lock entrance to the bassin a flot. Strong tidal stream on the Charente, plan arrival on the flood. Rochefort marina works VHF 9.

Practical

Short-stay pontoon used while waiting for the lock, which opens roughly HW plus or minus 1h15 depending on coefficient. The main marina holds 300 berths, 40 for visitors, with water, electricity, showers, fuel berth, 15 t travel hoist and 150 dry-stack places. Harbour office at 1 quai de Moyne de Serigny, 05 46 88 88 50.

Ashore

Corderie Royale, the 374 m long 17th century rope works, and the Hermione frigate reconstruction dock are both within 500 m. Musee national de la Marine 400 m from the pontoon. Town centre with all shops at 600 m. GR 360 coastal path passes through Rochefort.

History

Rochefort was founded as a royal naval arsenal by Colbert in 1666 on Louis XIV's order. The yard built warships for the French navy until 1927. The Hermione, the frigate that carried La Fayette to America in 1780, was reconstructed here between 1997 and 2014.