Corderie Royale, Royal rope factory in Rochefort, France.
The Corderie Royale is a 374-meter-long rope factory stretching along the Charente River with symmetrical limestone architecture and broad working halls. The building reveals how spaces were organized for traditional rope production and the scale at which this craft operated.
Built between 1666 and 1669 under Louis XIV, the building supplied rope to the French fleet for nearly two centuries. This facility represented a major royal investment in maritime power during an era of naval expansion.
The International Maritime Center inside displays naval traditions and explains how rope makers worked for the French fleet. Visitors can see the connection between this craft and the life of sailors who depended on these ropes.
The site is accessible through guided tours in multiple languages that operate daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Visitors can observe traditional rope-making demonstrations and maritime craft workshops without any special preparation needed.
The building's 374-meter length was precisely calculated to produce standard naval ropes of about 200 meters in length. This measurement determined the entire architectural design and shows how practical manufacturing needs shaped the structure.
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