Canal de Marans à La Rochelle, Waterway in Charente-Maritime, France
The Canal de Marans stretches 24.5 kilometers with a width of 5.2 meters, connecting the Sèvre Niortaise river to the harbor of La Rochelle.
Napoleon I ordered the construction of the canal in 1805, utilizing Spanish and Neapolitan prisoners of war for the initial excavation work from 1806.
The canal development transformed regional commerce in the 19th century, establishing a vital trade route between La Rochelle and the interior territories.
A cycling path runs alongside the canal, connecting to major routes including Vélodyssée and Vélofrancette, with boat rentals available at Pont des Salines.
The canal system includes four locks managing a total level change of 1.7 meters, discharging into the Maubec reservoir before reaching the tidal basin.
Location: Villedoux
Address: Canal de Rompsay, 17000 La Rochelle, France 17000 La Rochelle
GPS coordinates: 46.23196,-1.08524
Latest update: April 2, 2025 14:21
La Rochelle and its surroundings offer families a range of activities along the French Atlantic coast. The city itself holds several attractions, including the aquarium with over 12,000 marine animals, medieval towers at the Old Port, and various museums such as the Maritime Museum and the New World Museum. Visitors can walk through the historic center with its Grosse Horloge and Saint-Louis Cathedral or explore the beaches at La Concurrence and Minimes. Port des Minimes provides access to boat trips, while parks like Charruyer Park offer green spaces for relaxation. The region extends to the offshore islands of Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron with their beaches and the Phare des Baleines lighthouse. Inland, attractions include La Palmyre Zoo with over 1,600 animals, Zoodyssée in Chizé, and Court d'Aron floral park in Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais. History enthusiasts can visit the Corderie Royale and naval museum in Rochefort, while Fort Boyard stands as a recognizable landmark off the coast. Natural areas like Pierre Brune park near Mervent and the Rompsay Canal round out the offerings with walking trails and water activities.
Aquarium de La Rochelle
10.1 km
Tour Saint-Nicolas
10 km
Gare de La Rochelle
10 km
Vieux-Port de La Rochelle
10 km
Tour de la Lanterne
10.1 km
Hôtel de Ville de La Rochelle
9.5 km
La Rochelle Cathedral
9.4 km
Tour de la Chaîne
10 km
Musée maritime de La Rochelle
10.4 km
Musée rochelais de la Dernière Guerre
9.3 km
Grosse Horloge
9.8 km
Église Saint-Sauveur de La Rochelle
9.6 km
Café de la Paix
9.3 km
Réserve naturelle nationale de la baie de l'Aiguillon
8.5 km
Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle
9 km
Musée du Nouveau Monde
9.3 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-Cougnes de La Rochelle
8.9 km
Parc Animalier Charles-Édouard Beltremieux
10.1 km
Commanderie de La Rochelle
9.6 km
La Coursive/Scène Nationale La Rochelle
9.9 km
France I
10.3 km
La Rochelle rear range light
9.7 km
Temple protestant de La Rochelle
9.5 km
Vieux Marché de La Rochelle
9.2 km
Orbigny-Bernon Museum
9.6 km
Vauclair Castle
9.4 km
Église Saint-Martin d'Esnandes
2.7 km
Lycée Eugène-Fromentin, La Rochelle
9.1 kmReviews
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