Echillais, and its surroundings...
Echillaisis a commune in the south-west of France, located in the department of Charente-Maritime (New-Aquitaine region).
Its inhabitants are called Échillaisiens.
Small residential center in the southern suburbs of Rochefort from which it is separated by the Charente river, it is the third city of the urban unit of Rochefort.
River and estuarine city, it is bordered only on its left bank by the Charente. Échillais is connected to Rochefort by a viaduct which is the last bridge crossing the river before its mouth.
The town benefits from the proximity of the river (migration corridor for birds and various migratory fish). It also benefits from a green belt made up of a network of woods in the shape of a horseshoe located to the south-west of the town, to the north of a vast complex of wetlands, very artificial, but with high biodiversity potential. as part of the green network promoted by the Grenelle environment forum.
The Transporter Bridge
The last of France
Between natural and urbanized spaces, the Transporter Bridge, arch of the Grand Site of France “Estuaire de la Charente – Arsenal de Rochefort”, is a landmark in the Rochefort Océan territory. This emblematic work, all in iron, steel and cast iron, contemporary with the Eiffel Tower, spans the Charente between Rochefort and Echillais.
Privileged crossing point to go from one bank to the other of the Charente and explore Rochefort Océan on foot or by bike, it is also a site to discover during a walk around the bridge on the Guetteurs trail, artistic discovery trail punctuated by sculptures that evoke the environment and life around the bridge.
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3 mins by car
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3 mins by bike
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12 min walk
Our Lady of the Assumption
the Romanesque church of Echillais
Church Built in the 12th century on remains of the 9th century, the Church of ÉCHILLAIS is one of the masterpieces of Saintonge Romanesque Art.
Its facade, richly decorated, is to be contemplated at sunset. Le Grand Goule Sculptures adorn the frieze and the upper cornice: we see modillions like characters playing the hurdy-gurdy, the olifant, jugglers, ÉCHILLAIS animals... On the left of the entrance gate, a capital represents a monster called "Great Ghoul", which seems to swallow the barrel of the column.
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4 mins by car
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6 mins by bike
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19 min walk
The ferry house
"The Ferry Museum"
Dedicated to the history of the Transbordeur bridge and equipped with digital modules to understand how the structure works, its place in France and in the world.
The free visit is free. Its museum space dedicated to the history of the Transporter Bridge allows you to understand how the structure works, its place in France and in the world.
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3 mins by car
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3 mins by bike
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11 min walk
Photo @Patrick Despoix
The museum of old shops in Rochefort
The Museum of Trades of yesteryearis a private museum, specializing in the exhibition and reconstruction of around twenty shops and workshops from the beginning of the Twentieth century et which has the particularity of offering visitors the richest French collection of advertising items.
It is one of the busiest museums in the city with around 26,000 visitors each year, many of whom are tourists during the summer season..
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10 mins by car
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16 mins by bike
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56 min walk
The Royal Rope Factory
International Sea Center,
The Corderie Royale is a vast museum complex located in the heart of theRochefort maritime dockyard. The building constructed in 1666 is classified as historical monuments since 1967 and currently a candidate for registration on the list of Unesco World Heritage.
The part open to visitors has been hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions since 1986 dedicated to the maritime world and the history of theRochefort Arsenal.
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10 mins by car
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16 mins by bike
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56 min walk
The Hermione workshops
In 2022, L'Hermione is refitted in the port of Bayonne in Anglet! In his absence, the workshops of L'Hermione in Rochefort welcome you free of charge this summer in two of the rooms along the exhibition route.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary challenge of this frigate! A long 17-year construction site followed by 5 sailing campaigns between the Atlantic Ocean, the Channel and the Mediterranean Sea have shaped this human and maritime adventure born in the former Arsenal Maritime de Rochefort, in Charente-Maritime. A progress report on the works .
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10 mins by car
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17 mins by bike
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59 min walk
The ferry house
"The Ferry Museum"
Dedicated to the history of the Transbordeur bridge and equipped with digital modules to understand how the structure works, its place in France and in the world.
The free visit is free. Its museum space dedicated to the history of the Transporter Bridge allows you to understand how the structure works, its place in France and in the world.
-
3 mins by car
-
3 mins by bike
-
11 min walk
Photo @Patrick Despoix
The museum of old shops in Rochefort
The Museum of Trades of yesteryearis a private museum, specializing in the exhibition and reconstruction of around twenty shops and workshops from the beginning of the Twentieth century et which has the particularity of offering visitors the richest French collection of advertising items.
It is one of the busiest museums in the city with around 26,000 visitors each year, many of whom are tourists during the summer season..
-
10 mins by car
-
16 mins by bike
-
56 min walk
The Royal Rope Factory
International Sea Center,
The Corderie Royale is a vast museum complex located in the heart of theRochefort maritime dockyard. The building constructed in 1666 is classified as historical monuments since 1967 and currently a candidate for registration on the list of Unesco World Heritage.
The part open to visitors has been hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions since 1986 dedicated to the maritime world and the history of theRochefort Arsenal.
-
10 mins by car
-
16 mins by bike
-
56 min walk