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.
Location: La Rochelle
Architects: Liénard de La Réau
Address: 11 rue des Augustins ; rue Chaudrier
GPS coordinates: 46.16038,-1.15300
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:46
La Rochelle documents over seven centuries of French maritime history through its medieval fortifications and Renaissance architecture. The old port is guarded by three stone towers from the 14th and 15th centuries - the Saint Nicolas Tower, the Tour de la Chaîne, and the Lantern Tower - which once controlled access to the sea. The Great Clock Gate from 1476 connects the harbor front to the old city streets. The city center preserves buildings from the 16th through 18th centuries, with arcaded passages along Rue du Palais and Rue des Merciers. The Fontaine des Pilori dates from the 16th century, while the City Hall features Renaissance facades from 1595. The Musée du Nouveau Monde examines La Rochelle's transatlantic trade connections. The Les Minimes marina now serves more than 5,000 boats, making it one of the largest yacht harbors on the French Atlantic coast. The modern Passerelle Nelson Mandela, opened in 1993, carries pedestrians across the main harbor. Beyond the city center, the bridge to Île de Ré extends roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) across the Bay of Biscay.
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