Bassin de Plaisance Lapérousse

Tucked along the right bank of the River Charente, this marina puts you about 15 nautical miles from the iconic Fort Boyard and Île d'Aix — solid motivation to base yourself here and explore. With 273 pontoon berths and 170 ashore, there's plenty of room, along with electricity, showers, and toilet facilities on site. Rochefort itself is worth the stop, a beautifully preserved 17th-century naval town built by Colbert with a remarkable rope-making factory (Corderie Royale) and the reconstructed frigate Hermione to wander around.