Rochefort-sur-Mer

Listed as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History), this regal seaside town was founded in 1666 as a naval port at the request of King Louis XIV. Nowadays, Rochefort-sur-Mer is more of a spa destination, but visitors can still discover the town’s military and seafaring heritage. Tourists can visit the imposing 17th-century Arsenal and a replica of the Hermione, the naval ship that the Marquis de Lafayette sailed to America in 1780 to help fight the War of Independence. The Maritime Museum has more naval memorabilia, and the Corderie Royale, the old royal ropeworks building, features exhibitions on maritime themes. The Musée de la Vieille Paroisse, created by the Geographic Society of Rochefort in 1878, displays archaeological finds and historical research.

One of the top spa towns in France, Rochefort has two excellent spas: Société Thermale de Rochefort and Maison du Curiste. About 25 kilometers away is the Plage de Marennes, a beautiful beach popular with French families because of its safe waters. Situated in an estuary and surrounded by sand dunes, the water is protected from waves and tides. Children enjoy wading in the shallow areas and making sandcastles on the shore. There’s also a playground and a café.

(source: http://www.planetware.com)