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. Nestled in the elegant Fleuriau town house, this unique museum reveals the fascinating relationship between La Rochelle and the Americas, from the 16th to the 19th century.
Discover how La Rochelle, a port of capital importance, 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 reception of refugees from the Haitian Revolution.
Admire breathtaking collections of art and artifacts celebrating transatlantic cultural exchange, including paintings, prints, sculptures and many other treasures. The Musée du Nouveau Monde is a must-see on your visit to La Rochelle, offering a hands-on guide to an enriching historical experience.
A journey through history and culture
The Musée du Nouveau Monde is much more than an exhibition space; it's a place for remembering and sharing, dedicated to preserving and promoting the colonial history of La Rochelle, one of France's most important slave-trading ports in the 18th century.
Taking a straightforward look at the slave trade, slavery, revolt and abolition, the museum highlights the main figures, victims and witnesses of this era. It is also a place for reflection on the heritage and contemporary challenges of 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.
Admire the portrait of Dona Rosa, a mixed-race woman from Santo Domingo, the study of Aimé-Benjamin Fleuriau, the merchant who built the hotel, and the statue of Toussaint Louverture, the emblematic figure of Haitian independence. 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 listed building, is home to the Musée du Nouveau Monde. The hotel illustrates the splendor and prestige of the families of La Rochelle, who grew rich through trade and plantations in the New World.
Owned by Aimé-Benjamin Fleuriau, who embellished and enlarged it on his return from Saint-Domingue, where he owned a sugar farm, the hotel remained in the family until 1974, when the city of La Rochelle acquired it to create the museum. You'll be enchanted by its neoclassical façade, monumental staircase, interior decor and 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 Musée du Nouveau Monde is open Monday to Sunday, except Tuesdays. Opening hours are adapted to the season: 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm between September 16 and June 14, and 10am to 6pm from June 15 to September 15. On Saturdays, the museum opens at 1:30pm or 2pm, 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, by reservation at the Tourist Office. Schools can take advantage of tours and educational workshops specially designed for different levels.
Prices and ticketing options
Standard admission is €8 per adult. Preferential 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 combined ticket at €18, holders of the Pass Annuel Intermusées at €30 solo and €25 duo, and "tribe" tickets at €10 for an adult with one or more children.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month (except July and August), for under-18s, students, job-seekers and RSA recipients, disabled persons and their carers, ICOM or ICOMOS members, teachers preparing a visit, 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 bypass exit. Free parking at Esplanade des Parcs and chemin du Rempart, or paying car parks 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 riches through interactive and educational experiences designed for all ages and preferences. Individually, as a family or in a group, discover the museum in a unique and engaging way.
Guided tours and educational workshops
Guided tours are available for groups of 10 to 30 people, and can be booked via the Tourist Office. Choose from a variety of themes, including "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 enthusiastic guides, ready 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, offering a variety of exciting activities. Children aged 7 to 12 can take advantage of a free booklet-game to explore the museum in an entertaining way, through observation, drawing and play. For families, workshop tours combining guided discovery and creative activity are offered on themes such as "Animals of the New World", "Costumes of the New World" and "Instruments of the New World". And to celebrate your child's birthday in an original way, the museum organizes birthday parties with guided tours or creative workshops, including reservations, entertainment, cake, drinks and invitations.
Use technology and mobile applications to enrich the experience
The museum integrates technology and mobile applications to enhance the visitor experience, offering a free audioguide in French, English and Spanish and a "Musée du Nouveau Monde" mobile application rich in multimedia content, quizzes and practical information. It is also involved in initiatives such as PopLab for teachers and the "Sons of Sanna" project, an immersive exhibition into the world of the Arctic Inuit, combining sound, light and touch.
Special events and temporary exhibitions not to be missed
Throughout the year, the museum enlivens 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 linked to New World heritage, and don't miss the exhibition "The Sons of Sanna - Inuit of the Arctic", for a fascinating dive into Inuit culture.
Conclusion
The Musée du Nouveau Monde in La Rochelle is a destination of choice for history, culture and art enthusiasts. This institution takes you on a journey through time and continents, revealing the deep connections between La Rochelle and the Americas, from the 16th to the 19th century. It offers a fresh look at lesser-known or obscured chapters of colonial history, notably the slave trade and slavery, while showcasing 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 technologies, 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 listed mansion, and stroll through its exceptional exotic garden.
Don't miss this immersive and informative experience. Book your visit to the Museum of the New World today and get ready for a captivating adventure!
FAQ
What are we doing 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 La Rochelle Aquariumone of Europe's largest private aquariums, an oasis of over 12,000 marine animals divided into 600 species.
What's La Rochelle known for?
La Rochelle, with its rich historical heritage, has distinguished itself as a major merchant port, a center of Protestantism and a hub of trade with the New World. Highlights include the Old Port with its its three emblematic towersthe Aquarium, and the legendary Fort Boyard.
What was the first museum in France?
The Musée du Louvre takes its place as the first museum in France, inaugurated in 1793 during the French Revolution with the transformation of the former royal palace. Prior to the Louvre, the first public museum in France was established in Besançon in 1694, thanks to the legacy of Abbé Boisot and the collection of Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle.
What to see and do near La Rochelle
Near La Rochelle is the Ile de Ré, a must-see destination on this jewel of the Atlantic. You can also visit Rochefort, Saintesor Royancities rich in culture and heritage.
