Château de Rochefort-sur-Charente, Medieval castle in Rochefort, France
The Château de Rochefort-sur-Charente is a fortress built on chalk rock above the Charente River, featuring defensive towers, rectangular walls, and a dry moat. The grounds include a Marine Garden with river views that connects to the National Marine Museum nearby.
The fortress was built in the 12th century and expanded its territory in the 14th century by acquiring land from the Châtelaillon seigneury. These periods of growth shaped the structure seen today.
The chapel once served as the spiritual center of the fortress and its architectural presence still shapes the inner courtyard today. Visitors can sense this religious legacy through the layout and details preserved within the castle grounds.
Visitors should explore the grounds on foot to see both the fortifications and the park areas along the river. Being near the Marine Museum makes it possible to visit both sites in one day and gain a fuller picture of Rochefort's heritage.
After the chapel was demolished, its bell tower was converted to function as a lighthouse to guide ships on the Charente River. This unexpected second life shows how the fortress adapted its purpose beyond military defense.
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