Historical Monument 14 juin 1928 (≈ 1928)
Registration of arcades by ministerial decree.
2e quart du XIXe siècle
Construction of houses
Construction of houses 2e quart du XIXe siècle (≈ 1937)
Period of construction of arcade houses.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Origin and history
The houses on Rue Albert-Ier in La Rochelle form a remarkable architectural ensemble, dated the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. Their peculiarity lies in their porches bordered by arcades, a typical style of urbanism of this period. These buildings reflect the evolution of residential facades in French port cities in the 19th century, combining functionality and aesthetics.
Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 14 June 1928, these houses testify to the heritage importance attached to architectural elements such as arcades. Their protection specifically concerns these structures, stressing their historical value and their role in the urban landscape of La Rochelle. The location at 8 Albert-Ier Street confirms their integration into the ancient fabric of the city.
La Rochelle, the major port town of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (formerly Poitou-Charentes), experienced in the nineteenth century an urban development marked by the rise of maritime trade and the beautification of the central districts. Arcade houses, such as those on Albert-Ier Street, served both as housing, as trading grounds on the ground floor, and as symbols of prosperity for their owners. Their preservation offers today a glimpse of the bourgeois and artisanal life of the time.
