Rochefort, France
Hôtel Mercure Rochefort La Corderie Royale
Royal naval armoury
Rochefort, France
Renovated
2018
Price
$$
Rated for
Heritage Design LocalOutside the door
The house
AccorRoyal naval armoury
The building occupies a seventeenth-century weapons depot, standing right on the Charente beside Rochefort's royal ropeworks.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A seventeenth-century naval armoury commissioned under Louis XIV within the royal dockyards.
Listed
Bistronomic dining serving Marennes oysters and Pineau des Charentes beside the Charente.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
On the banks of the Charente, the legendary Royal Ropeworks of Rochefort is now the site of this tastefully restored splendid hotel: huge lobby adorned with colonial frescoes, cosy, elegant rooms.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The riverside path runs right outside, leading onto the lawns of the Royal Ropeworks and the Charente marina.
The rooms
Bedrooms use a palette of naval blue, red, and gold, with windows looking out over the gardens or pool.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The spa & gym
Restaurant
La Corderie Royale
Tables are laid with crisp white linen for dinners of slow-cooked lamb shank and regional Charentaise cheeses.
Bar La Corderie Royale
The blue-toned lounge bar serves aperitifs and wine by the glass, with velvet seating beneath framed portraits.
At the table
A morning buffet is laid out in a quiet dining room of blue walls and neatly set tables.
How it began
The surrounding arsenal rigged more than three hundred French warships, including the Hermione, before closing in 1926.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.