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A magnificent place to explore for all those who love nature, sports, and heritage.

CHARENTES - EN

The oyster is a well-known marine mollusk. But how well do we really know its life cycle and habitat? To answer the many questions that you might have, the Ecomusée de Port-des-Barques offers guided tours. The visit begins with an observation of the panorama from the top of the seawall and continues inside the museum. Afterwards, kids are welcome to try their hand at net fishing in the salt pans. This little pearl occupies two former fishermen’s huts at the edge of the Charente, within an active oyster farming site, nine miles from Rochefort. For more information, please consult <https://www.ecomuseeportdesbarques.net/> or call +33 (0)5 46 84 19 19. ©Tux-Man/Wikimedia Commons

Ecomusée de Port-des-Barques

Brittany is not the only place in France where you can see dolmens! In La Jarne, eight miles from La Rochelle, Dolmen “de la pierre levée” (“of the raised stone”) proudly stands on Place de la Liberté. However, the megalith monument – a massive four-ton stone raised on four other stones for a total weight of seven tons – was not always located here. It was originally discovered in 1816 on a small butte overlooking the surrounding plain. Moving it uncovered fragments of human bones, pottery, a flint arrowhead, a skull, and other artifacts now kept at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle. A 15-minute drive from Hotel Mercure La Rochelle Vieux Port. ©Parick Despoix/Wikimedia Commons

Dolmen “de la pierre levée” (“of the raised stone”)

Musée Maritime de La Rochelle possesses a flotilla of nine exceptional ships, and three of them are open to the public: the France I, the Angoumois, and the Saint-Gilles. Visitors may also admire the other ships of this heritage flotilla moored at the same quay from this observation post. The museum also offers a collection of small pleasure crafts like none other in France, housed in the former tidal hall of the fishing port, the Encan. Rounding out the tour are temporary exhibitions. For more information, please consult <https://museemaritime.larochelle.fr/> or call +33 (0)5 46 28 03 00. ©Jean-Pierre Bazard/Wikimedia Commons

Musée Maritime de La Rochelle

Founded in 1776, L’Accord Parfait is the oldest Masonic Lodge of the Grand Lodge of France still in existence. It doesn’t appear extraordinary from the outside. Inside, however, you’ll find “an invitation to travel through time and space, from the 18th century to today.”  The setting of this Masonic Temple is a Historical Building, and its furniture is also listed. Guided tours every week on Friday at 4 p.m. During the summer season, some additional dates may be available. Reserve and purchase tickets online or at the Rochefort tourist information center. For more information, please consult <https://www.rochefort-ocean.com> or call +33 (0)5 46 99 08 60. ©TheDigitalArtist/Pixabay

L'Accord Parfait

If Colbert’s city were a flower, it would be a begonia. This widespread plant is one of the most extensive botanical genera of the plant kingdom. More than 2,000 of its species originate from three continents, and more than 12,000 hybrids have been developed by man since 1845. Rochefort’s Conservatoire du Bégonia boasts the world’s largest collection of begonias. Guided tours of its greenhouse last 45 minutes to an hour.  Tuesday to Friday, at 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 in the afternoon. No need to reserve in advance. For more information, please consult <http://begonia.rochefort.fr/default.htm> or call +33 (0)5 46 82 40 30. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Conservatoire du Bégonia

If there is one store you should not miss in Rochefort, it’s Le Bégonia d’Or, a hand-embroidery workshop specializing in gold thread embroidery. The director, Sylvie Deschamps, is the only embroiderer to have received the official title of Master of Art in gold thread embroidery from the French Ministry of Culture, in 2010. Her workshop offers embroidery lessons all year round, by reservation, while her boutique offers a wide variety of 100% made-in-France products. Tours of the workshop are held only on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Reserve at the tourist information center. For more information, please consult <https://www.broderieor.com/> or call +33 (0)5 46 87 59 36. ©Istock by Gettyimages

CHARENTES - EN

Conservatoire du Bégonia

Atelier Bégonia d'Or

L'Accord Parfait

Ecomusée de Port-des-Barques

Musée Maritime de La Rochelle

Dolmen “de la pierre levée” (“of the raised stone”)