Musée du nouveau monde à La Rochelle - practical and discovery guide
Explore the rich historical and cultural heritage of La Rochelle at the Musée du Nouveau Monde. Tucked away in the elegant Fleuriau mansion, this one-of-a-kind museum explores the fascinating connections between La Rochelle and the Americas from the 16th to the 19th century.
Discover how La Rochelle, a major port, played a crucial role in trade and emigration to the New World, including New France and the West Indies. The museum also sheds light on the dark chapter of the city’s involvement in the slave trade and slavery, as well as its welcoming of refugees from the Haitian Revolution.
Admire breathtaking collections of art and artifacts that celebrate transatlantic cultural exchange, including paintings, engravings, sculptures, and many other treasures. The Museum of the New World is a must-see stop on your visit to La Rochelle, offering a practical guide to an enriching historical experience.
A Journey Through History and Cultures
The Musée du Nouveau Monde is much more than just an exhibition space; it is a place of remembrance and sharing dedicated to preserving and highlighting the colonial history of La Rochelle, one of France’s most important slave-trading ports in the 18th century.
By addressing the transatlantic slave trade, slavery, revolt, and abolition head-on, the museum highlights the key figures, victims, and witnesses of that era. It also serves as a place for reflection on the legacies and contemporary challenges related to cultural diversity and living together.
Discover the permanent and temporary collections
At the Musée du Nouveau Monde, you're invited to explore its permanent collections, which boast some 2,200 works and objects illustrating the links between La Rochelle and the Americas. Discover old maps, paintings, engravings, sculptures, furniture, costumes, jewelry, weapons and musical instruments.
Among other things, admire the portrait of Dona Rosa, a mixed-race woman from Santo Domingo; the study of Aimé-Benjamin Fleuriau; the merchant who founded the hotel, and the statue of Toussaint Louverture, an iconic figure of Haitian independence. The temporary exhibitions also offer innovative perspectives on the history and cultures of the New World.
The significant history of the Fleuriau Hotel
The Hôtel Fleuriau, a remarkable 18th-century building designated a historic monument, houses the Museum of the New World. This mansion exemplifies the splendor and prestige of La Rochelle families who amassed their wealth through trade and plantations in the New World.
Owned by Aimé-Benjamin Fleuriau, who embellished and expanded it after returning from Saint-Domingue, where he owned a sugar plantation, this mansion remained in his family until 1974, when the city of La Rochelle acquired it to establish the museum. You’ll be enchanted by its neoclassical façade, its monumental staircase, its interior décor, and its garden.
Plan your visit to the Museum of the New World
Plan your visit to the Musée du Nouveau Monde in La Rochelle with these practical tips for an exceptional experience.
Practical information for planning your visit
The Museum of the New World is open Monday through Sunday, except on Tuesdays. Hours vary by season: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. between September 16 and June 14, and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from June 15 to September 15. On Saturdays, the museum opens at 1:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m., depending on the season. Please note that the museum is closed on January 1, May 1, July 14, November 1 and 11, and December 25.
Guided tours are available for groups of 10 to 30 people; reservations must be made at the Tourist Office. Schools can take advantage of tours and educational workshops specially designed for different grade levels.
Prices and ticketing options
Standard admission is €8 per adult. Discounted rates are available for groups of more than 10 people and families at €6 per person, as well as for holders of the 4-museum combo ticket for €18, holders of the Intermuseum Annual Pass at €30 for a single person and €25 for a pair, and «family» tickets at €10 for one adult with one or more children.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month (except July and August) for children under 18, students, job seekers, and recipients of the RSA, people with disabilities and their companions, members of ICOM or ICOMOS, teachers preparing for a field trip, journalists, and tour guides.
Access: How to get to the museum
Located at 10 Rue Fleuriau, in the heart of La Rochelle, the Musée du Nouveau Monde is easy to get to:
- By car: From Niort via Bd Sautel, from Rochefort via the SNCF train station, from Laleu or Laleu airport. Ile de Ré via the St. Eloi exit on the beltway. Free parking is available at the Esplanade des Parcs and Chemin du Rempart; paid parking is available at Place de Verdun, Notre-Dame, and Carré Amelot.
- By bus: Lines 1, 2, 3 stop Dupaty or any other line stop place de Verdun. Consult timetables on the Yélo website.
- By bike: Yélo rental stations available. Yélomobile electric car station at Place de Verdun or carré Amelot.
- On foot: The museum is 15 minutes from the SNCF train station and 10 minutes from the Vieux Port, follow the signs.
Visitor facilities and services
The Museum of the New World enriches your visit with :
- A free audioguide in French, English and Spanish for self-guided discovery.
- A free booklet-game for children aged 7 to 12, offering a fun way to discover the museum.
- A boutique offering a selection of products related to the museum's collections.
- A garden accessible from the courtyard, perfect for a relaxing break amid exotic plants and contemporary sculptures.
Interactive and educational experiences
The Museum of the New World invites you to explore its treasures through interactive and educational experiences designed for all ages and interests. Whether you’re visiting on your own, with your family, or as a group, discover the museum in a unique and engaging way.
Guided tours and educational workshops
Guided tours are organized for groups of 10 to 30 people and are available by reservation through the Tourist Office. You can choose from a variety of themes, such as «La Rochelle and the New World,» «The Hôtel Fleuriau and Its Collections,» «The Slave Trade and Slavery,» and «The Arts and Cultures of the New World.» These tours are led by passionate docents who are eager to share their knowledge of the museum and its history.
For school groups, from primary to high school, the museum offers educational workshops designed specifically for each educational level. Students are invited to learn through games, investigations, experiments and creative activities, guided by cultural mediators who stimulate their curiosity, critical thinking and creativity.
Program for children and families
The museum pays special attention to children and families by offering a variety of engaging activities. Children ages 7 to 12 can enjoy a free activity booklet that lets them explore the museum in a fun way through observation, drawing, and play. For families, workshop tours combining guided discovery with creative activities are offered on themes such as «Animals of the New World,» «Costumes of the New World,» and «Instruments of the New World.» In addition, to celebrate your child’s birthday in a unique way, the museum organizes birthday parties featuring a guided tour or creative workshop, including reservations, entertainment, cake, drinks, and invitations.
Using Technology and Mobile Apps to Enhance the Experience
The museum incorporates technology and mobile apps to enhance the visitor experience, offering a free audio guide in French, English, and Spanish, as well as a mobile app called «Musée du Nouveau Monde» packed with multimedia content, quizzes, and practical information. It also participates in initiatives such as PopLab for teachers and the «Les Fils de Sanna» project, an immersive exhibition exploring the world of the Arctic Inuit that combines sound, light, and touch.
Special events and temporary exhibitions not to be missed
Throughout the year, the museum enriches the cultural calendar with special events and temporary exhibitions, offering a fresh perspective on the collections and exhibits. Attend lectures, concerts, screenings, and performances directly related to the heritage of the New World, and don’t miss the exhibition «The Sons of Sanna—Inuit of the Arctic,» for a fascinating immersion into Inuit culture.
Conclusion
The Museum of the New World, located in La Rochelle, is a must-see destination for lovers of history, culture, and art. This institution takes you on a journey through the ages and across continents, revealing the deep connections between La Rochelle and the Americas from the 16th to the 19th century. It offers a fresh perspective on lesser-known or overlooked chapters of colonial history—notably the transatlantic slave trade and slavery—while highlighting the cultural richness and diversity of the peoples of the New World through its remarkable collections of artworks and artifacts.
The museum also enriches your visit with interactive and educational experiences suitable for all ages. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, mobile apps, guided tours, and workshops, every visitor can explore the museum in a unique way. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the elegance of the Hôtel Fleuriau, an 18th-century mansion designated a historic monument, and stroll through its exceptional exotic garden.
Don't miss this immersive and educational experience. Book your visit to the Museum of the New World today and get ready for a captivating adventure!
FAQ
What's there to do in La Rochelle?
Discover La Rochelle and its treasures :
- Take a stroll the Old Port and be dazzled by its historic 14th-century towers, guardians of the town against sea invasions.
- Explore The La Rochelle Aquarium, one of Europe's largest private aquariums, a haven for more than 12,000 marine animals representing 600 species.
What's La Rochelle known for?
La Rochelle, with its rich historical heritage, has distinguished itself as a major trading port, a center of Protestantism, and a hub for trade with the New World. Its points of interest include the Old Port with its three emblematic towers, the Aquarium, and the legendary Fort Boyard.
What was the first museum in France?
The Louvre Museum is France’s leading museum; it was inaugurated in 1793 during the French Revolution following the conversion of the former royal palace. Before the Louvre, France’s first public museum had been established in Besançon in 1694, thanks to a bequest from Abbé Boisot and the collection of Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle.
What to see and do near La Rochelle
Near La Rochelle lies Île de Ré, a must-see destination on this gem of the Atlantic. You can also visit Rochefort, Saintesor Royancities rich in culture and heritage.
