Maison Henri II de La Rochelle, Private mansion on Rue des Augustins, La Rochelle, France.
Maison Henri II is a private residence in La Rochelle comprising two pavilions of varying heights connected by a two-story gallery system. The Renaissance-style carved decorations and stone details organize the interior courtyard and mark the circulation between the different sections.
The building was constructed in 1555 by royal prosecutor Hugues Pontard on the site of a 13th-century mansion it replaced. This transformation from medieval to Renaissance architecture reflects the urban renewal that occurred in La Rochelle during the 1500s.
The Italian Renaissance style shows decorative carvings of moons and animal skulls echoing Roman tomb designs. These ornaments remain visible on the walls today, creating an unusual link between classical antiquity and French Renaissance tastes.
The courtyard is open to visitors at no cost, offering views of the exterior and gallery spaces. The building now houses a cultural center, so the interior can be experienced during regular operating hours.
The stacked galleries create narrow passageways linking the staircase tower to the study room in the left pavilion. This hidden spatial arrangement reveals careful planning that allowed the original resident to move discreetly through the residence.
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