Visit the museums of Charente Maritime

In the museums of Charente-Maritime, you will discover Gallo-Roman remains, a rich architectural heritage from the Middle Ages and the 19th century, and traces of religious persecution. But also objects from life in the past, old tools, local products... The ocean sets the rhythm of life on its coasts and in its lands: seafaring trades, traditions and customs, the maritime economy... It is a real culture well represented in cultural spaces.

After the construction of the first Gallo-Roman cities around Saintes, its Atlantic coast saw all sorts of invaders land on its shores, throughout its long history. The Middle Ages was a time of strong construction of castles and fortified towns, during the Hundred Years' War. Then the multiple episodes of the Wars of Religion caused much destruction. The Catholic and Protestant communities tore each other apart, marking the hearts of the inhabitants, transforming lifestyles and leaving traces: documents, furniture, development of caves and caches... Finally, it was the fortifications of Vauban which marked the territory. But these multiple influences also created a culture , at once rebellious, free and open to the world, conducive to art and creativity. This atmosphere will attract tourists from all over the world to its new seaside resorts, developed from the 18th  to the 20th centuries. We take you to discover this exceptional heritage and this incredible history through the museums of Charente-Maritime.

Saint-Césaire Paleosite

Museums about history

The history of a region forges its character... Knowing the major events and anecdotes of the past will allow you to better understand the identity of this territory . Visiting certain emblematic places is an immersive experience to penetrate the heart of the country !

• Saint Césaire Paleosite : You will have access to the first interpretation center in Europe, at the cutting edge of technology. You follow an indoor tour with interactive rooms: projections, virtual reality, life-size prehistoric animals... Then you walk in a shaded natural site with reconstructions, animations and workshops to experiment with the techniques of the time.
  
• Archaeological Museum of Saintes: It traces daily life in all its aspects (furniture, food, clothing and jewelry, games, lifestyles, etc.) in the city of Mediolanum, on the site of the current city of Saintes.
  
• Gallo-Roman Museum and Site of Fâ , in Barzan: The furniture discovered and presented by the museum shows us the economic importance of this ancient city. The visit continues with the ruins of the city, outside. Costumed animations regularly bring them back to life.
  
• Ernest Cognacq Museum in Saint Martin de Ré: This is THE museum to visit to learn everything about the Isle of Ré. It tells you the history of the island from its first settlement to the present day, from all angles: the arts , its military past and Vauban's fortifications, everyday objects...
  
• New World Museum of La Rochelle: The relationship between America and La Rochelle is deep and ancient. This museum will tell you the entire story of France and the New World.
  
• Le Bunker Museum in La Rochelle: A bunker built in the city center during the Second World War has remained intact for 70 years. It is a true immersion into a dark period in the history of La Rochelle.
  
  

Photo: Saint-Cézaire Paleosite

Museums about local life, the environment and culture

Museums about life and trades of the past, customs and traditions, everyday objects and activities, the environment and nature, like eco-museums, will allow you to immerse yourself in the culture of this region.

• Marais Poitevin Nature Center, in Taugon: It specializes in environmental education and therefore offers educational visits, with experiments, sports activities and very fun activities.
  
• Matata and Regulus Caves in Meschers-sur-Gironde: these troglodyte sites, dug into the limestone cliffs, served as a habitat before housing a museum. The visit will tell you their stories and legends. Various activities make it a very lively place. Among others, " strolls at dusk " allow you to enjoy the magnificent sunsets, " Nocturnes " for a more unusual visit and a treasure hunt for children.
  
• Salt Marsh Ecomuseum, in Loix, on the Ile de Ré: The site offers an exhibition to understand the functioning of this ecosystem, its history and the techniques of salt production. Then the guided tour will take you to the heart of the marsh to see the specific fauna and flora.
  
• Cognac Ecomuseum, in Migron: In this museum of winegrowers and distillers, the ancestral know-how of these trades will be revealed to you, within the distillery itself. In the “ Chai des arômes ”, you will live a sensory experience, to recognize and appreciate the perfumes of Cognac, the aromas of Pineau des Charentes… Two workshops show you the grafting of the vine and the making of a barrel.
  
• Musée du Platin de La Flotte, on the Île de Ré : This museum presents the arts and traditions of the Île de Ré in the form of fun activities, often outdoors to stay in touch with this island and marine environment : escape game, walking guide in the village, trail with investigation booklet, visit to the Châteliers Abbey, oyster farming on the Île de Ré, introduction to fishing, etc.
  
• Museum of Old-Fashioned Trades, in Rochefort: This is a unique shopping excursion! You will also discover the old-fashioned trades of commerce, old shops with their old-fashioned 20th century charm and original advertising objects.
  
• Crazanne Stone : This museum offers you a real journey, in the heart of a natural and protected space. You descend into the quarries, then you follow the quarrymen's route. During the guided tour, you can also participate in workshops or play games to explore this little-known world of stone quarries.
  
• Talmont-sur-Gironde Museum : It presents local history, fishing and the estuary.

Around the sea

• La Rochelle Aquarium : This is one of the most beautiful aquariums in Europe and a must-see for an immersion in this underwater world. It takes you on a tour of the oceans and seas around the world!
  
• Maritime Museum of La Rochelle: This museum tells you the whole story of the link between La Rochelle and the sea, in a very authentic fishing port atmosphere.
  
• Marennes Oyster City : You enter the territory of the famous “Marennes Oléron”. You follow a route through four “cabins”, with four atmospheres and themes on the oyster and the Seudre marsh.
  
• Port des Barques Ecomuseum : You will enter these old traditional oyster huts to discover oyster farming in all its aspects: the life of the oyster, the oyster farmer's job, the tools and farming equipment... At the end of the visit, a tasting is offered. Children can learn about " carpet fishing " or " scale fishing ".
  
• Phare des Baleines, in Saint-Clément-les-baleines: This is a complete tourist site on the Ile de Ré, with a lighthouse for an exceptional panorama, a lighthouse museum to better understand their role, and a preserved natural park.
  
• National Maritime Museum, in Rochefort: Guided tours, conferences, workshops, and original activities, such as the escape game... This museum will show you the French Navy in a different way...
  
• International Sea Centre (Royal Rope Factory) , in Rochefort: The Royal Rope Factory in Rochefort is a rope factory. You will learn all about the history, manufacture and use of ropes.
  
• Rochefort Naval Aviation Museum : The main purpose of this space is to restore and store aircraft used for training naval aviation mechanics. It is therefore an impressive and lively collection that you can admire.
  
• Hermione-La Fayette Association in Rochefort: An exhibition explains the history of this exceptional boat and workshops show you its specific features: sail loft, pulley clinic, rigger workshop, restoration site, etc.
  
  

Art in all its forms

Charente Maritime and La Rochelle, in particular, are known for their rebellious nature. They are free souls who need to express themselves... The arts are therefore well represented there and have been for a very long time. But it is also a country that looks far and wide and receives the many influences of the world by sea!

• Hèbre Museum, in Rochefort: This is an art and history museum that presents a large collection of paintings and objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania. It highlights the maritime trade between Rochefort and the whole world.
  
• Saintes Alderman's Museum : Located in the magnificent building of the former Town Hall, you can admire paintings, sculptures, ceramics and porcelain from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
  
• Dupuy Mestreau Museum, in Saintes: This is an art museum on the It brings together local works from the 19th and 20th centuries: paintings, earthenware, engravings, etc. A reconstruction of a main room of a house and various objects such as costumes, headdresses, weapons, etc. will show you the life of the time.
  
• Cordeliers Museum in Saint-Jean-d'Angély: This is a very eclectic museum. You will find a chronicle of Citroën's expeditions to Africa in the 1920s and to Asia in the 1930s, and works of art linked to the history of the city.
  
• Museum of Fine Arts of La Rochelle: In the former episcopal palace, the museum has a fine collection of European paintings and works by artists from the region.
  
• Royan Museum : Through the Fine Arts collection, it reveals the history of the town from Antiquity to the 18th century. Particular interest is given to the " Belle Époque " period in this seaside resort with its original architecture.
• Pierre Loti Museum: The Pierre Loti House in Rochefort has reopened after a complete renovation, inviting visitors on an immersive journey into the exotic and vibrant world of the writer-traveler. Each carefully restored room bears witness to his adventures and passions, offering a fascinating insight into a unique heritage.
  
  
  

Museums around leisure and games

Games, toys, unusual and funny things, museums are not always serious. You can also have fun, laugh and share good times with your family!

• Lisette's Treasures Museum, in Saintes: It's a journey through time. You're in the "Belle Époque", surrounded by everyday objects from the beginning of the 20th century. It's a very exotic museum.
  
• Postcard Museum, in Mortagne sur Gironde: This museum tells you the history of Mortagne, through a very beautiful collection of old postcards.
  
• Museum of the History of the Pram, in Saujon: This is the personal collection of two enthusiasts of prams and children's strollers.
  
• Saint-Savinien Miniature Museum : It takes you into the daily life of our grandparents thanks to a kingdom of dollhouses...
  
  

Photo: Saint-Savinien Miniature Museum

Museums about science and technology...

If you're thirsty for culture, there are plenty of more general museums to satisfy all your desires. Science in general, natural history... there's something for everyone.

• Natural History Museum, in La Rochelle: Archaeology, ethnology, botany, zoology, mineralogy, etc. It’s a very comprehensive museum!
  
• Former School of Medicine, Rochefort: This is the first medical school in the world. It is part of the Rochefort naval arsenal. The museum presents the school as it was in the 19th century.
  
• Maison du Transbordeur, in Échillais: You will take the gondola to arrive at the Maison du Pont Transbordeur, in order to understand this extraordinary renovation project.

That concludes our tour of the museums in Charente-Maritime. Whatever your area of interest, you're sure to find something to enrich your knowledge, learn, or satisfy your curiosity.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Charente Maritime Guide.