Musée des modèles réduits, Scale model museum in La Rochelle, France.
The Musée des modèles réduits showcases an extensive collection of miniature models, automatons, and detailed reproductions spanning multiple historical periods and technical domains across 800 square meters of exhibition space.
Established in 1987, this museum originated from collections of a company founded in 1959 that specialized in creating decorative displays for themed exhibitions throughout the region.
The museum preserves traditional craftsmanship techniques in model making while displaying naval maquettes, railway circuits, vintage automobiles, and animated scenes that illustrate French maritime and industrial heritage.
Open daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with extended summer hours from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM during July and August, requiring paid admission for all visitors.
The museum formerly attracted approximately 50,000 annual visitors and featured outdoor railway circuits including a detailed reproduction of La Rochelle's train station before its closure and planned relocation.
Location: La Rochelle
Official opening: 1987
Fee: Yes
Address: Rue de la Désirée
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-12:00,14:00-18:00; July-August Monday-Sunday 09:30-19:00
Phone: +33546416808
Website: http://museeslarochelle.com
GPS coordinates: 46.15190,-1.15629
Latest update: August 27, 2025 09:30
France hosts monuments that go beyond common tourist routes. Individual creations like Ferdinand Cheval's Palais Idéal in Hauterives, built stone by stone over 33 years, sit alongside architectural reconversions like the Molitor Pool in Paris or the Contemporary Art Museum set in a 17th-century manor in Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or. These sites reflect unique stories and urban transformations worth exploring. This selection includes themed museums dedicated to magic in Blois, mechanical instruments at La Borde, fairground arts in Paris, and firefighters in Montville. It also features total art works like the Maison Picassiette in Chartres, entirely decorated with ceramic mosaics, and the Robert Tatin Museum in Cossé-le-Vivien. From Montmartre cemetery where Degas and Zola are buried to works by self-taught artists, these monuments offer different perspectives on French heritage and deserve a visit to explore lesser-known facets of the territory.
La Rochelle and its surroundings offer families a range of activities along the French Atlantic coast. The city itself holds several attractions, including the aquarium with over 12,000 marine animals, medieval towers at the Old Port, and various museums such as the Maritime Museum and the New World Museum. Visitors can walk through the historic center with its Grosse Horloge and Saint-Louis Cathedral or explore the beaches at La Concurrence and Minimes. Port des Minimes provides access to boat trips, while parks like Charruyer Park offer green spaces for relaxation. The region extends to the offshore islands of Île de Ré and Île d'Oléron with their beaches and the Phare des Baleines lighthouse. Inland, attractions include La Palmyre Zoo with over 1,600 animals, Zoodyssée in Chizé, and Court d'Aron floral park in Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais. History enthusiasts can visit the Corderie Royale and naval museum in Rochefort, while Fort Boyard stands as a recognizable landmark off the coast. Natural areas like Pierre Brune park near Mervent and the Rompsay Canal round out the offerings with walking trails and water activities.
Aquarium de La Rochelle
469 m
Tour Saint-Nicolas
484 m
Tour de la Lanterne
435 m
Tour de la Chaîne
471 m
Musée maritime de La Rochelle
455 m
Grosse Horloge
721 m
Parc Animalier Charles-Édouard Beltremieux
728 m
La Coursive/Scène Nationale La Rochelle
555 m
France I
358 m
Musée des automates
25 m
Clocher Saint-Jean de la Rochelle
521 m
Parc Charruyer
656 m
Plage de la Concurrence
478 m
Église des Carmes
565 m
Bastion du Gabut
406 m
Porte des deux moulins de la rochelle
432 m
Hôtel Leclerc, La Rochelle
757 m
Hôtel particulier, 15 rue Verdière, La Rochelle
656 m
La grande roue - La Rochelle
678 m
Villa Alsace, La Rochelle
784 m
Maison Pillaud
749 m
Slipway
403 m
Passerelle Nelson Mandela
339 m
Admiral Duperré
709 m
Memorial to the Soldiers and Sailors of Charente-Inférieure
749 m
The Wave
167 m
La Rochelle front range light
542 m
Maison, 1 rue Chef-de-Ville (La Rochelle)
745 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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