Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle
Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle, Natural history museum in La Rochelle, France
The Natural History Museum of La Rochelle is a building housing objects collected since the 1700s from the natural world and different cultures. Its rooms display fossils, animal specimens, minerals, and items that document human societies across the globe.
The building dates from the early 1800s and was officially recognized as a historic monument in 2003 following restoration work. This designation honored its architectural quality and importance to the city's development.
The museum displays objects from various cultures around the world, allowing visitors to see how people in different regions lived and worked. The items on view reveal traditions in craftsmanship, daily routines, and spiritual practices.
The museum sits in the city center within walking distance of other attractions and is easy to reach. Visitors should know that hours vary by season and some days may be closed to allow for exhibitions and maintenance.
The museum once housed Zarafa, a giraffe that arrived in France during the 1820s and sparked widespread fascination with African wildlife. This animal became a symbol of Europe's growing curiosity about distant lands and their creatures.
Location: La Rochelle
Architects: Claude Masse, Nicolas Marie Potain, Gilles Nassivet
Address: 28 rue Albert-Ier
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 13:30-17:30
Phone: +33546411825
Website: https://museum.larochelle.fr
GPS coordinates: 46.16480,-1.15110
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
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.
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.
Café de la Paix
259 m
Lycée Eugène-Fromentin, La Rochelle
83 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle
302 m
Comédie La Rochelle
236 m
Fontaine du Pilori
276 m
Hôtel de Craon
224 m
Jardin des plantes de La Rochelle
57 m
Hôtel du Commerce
263 m
Maison, 43 rue du Minage
224 m
Maison, 26 rue du Minage
212 m
Grande-maison de Lhommée
277 m
La Belle Époque
291 m
Maison, 5 rue Albert 1er, La Rochelle
188 m
Hero and Leander
45 m
Maison, 9 rue Albert 1er, La Rochelle
173 m
Chapelle Fromentin de La Rochelle
160 m
Maison, 50 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
268 m
Maison, 15 rue Albert 1er, La Rochelle
159 m
Maison, 42 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
306 m
Maison, 46 rue Chaudrier
287 m
Maison, 60 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
234 m
Maison, 62 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
227 m
Maison, 64 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
222 m
Maison, 66 rue Chaudrier, La Rochelle
215 m
Maison, 11 rue Albert 1er, La Rochelle
169 m
Maison, 7 rue Albert-Ier
177 m
Maison, 3 rue Albert 1er, La Rochelle
196 m
Maison, 44 rue Chaudrier
300 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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