Heritage classified

Origin and history

The building located at 26 rue Dupacy in La Rochelle is a building whose oldest parts date back to the 16th century. He is particularly known for his hors-oeuvre staircase vaulted with warheads, decorated with thirdons, and its facade on courtyard. These elements were once part of a larger house called 'Maison de Diane de Poitiers' or 'Hôtel Henri II', built in part by the architect Léonard de La Réau. The street façade, meanwhile, was rebuilt in the 19th century when the porches on this side of the street were removed.

The staircase, characterized by its corbelled balconies, and the posterior facade are the only remaining vestiges of this large house of the 3rd quarter of the 16th century. The ground and carved ceilings of the time still bear witness to the prestige of this construction. The building was listed as historic monuments by order of February 18, 1925, protecting the courtyard façade of the main building and the adjoining staircase.

The 'Maison de Diane de Poitiers' was an emblematic building of La Rochelle, a major port town in the region. At that time, the city was a dynamic economic centre, marked by maritime commerce and architecture reflecting the prosperity of local elites. Urban houses such as this were both a residence and a symbol of social status for their owners, often merchants or notables.

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