Timeline

Origin and history

The Musée des modèles modèles de La Rochelle originated in a company founded in 1959, specialized in the creation of decorations for thematic exhibitions. These objects, assembled over the decades, formed the core of the museum's collections, which were inaugurated in 1987. Located in the modern district of Les Minimes, between the Old Port and the marina, it extended over 800 m2, becoming the largest regional space dedicated to small models and toys. Its permanent opening, unlike other local museums at seasonal times, has made it a focal point for the tourism of the Rock, supplementing similar structures such as the Musée du toy ancien d'Échilllais or the Atlantrain de Saint-Just-Luzac.

The museum was distinguished by its various collections, including car models (such as a Rolls Royce Torpedo Ghost 2), naval reconstructions with sound and visual effects, as well as miniature railway circuits, including a famous replica of the La Rochelle station. With an average of 50,000 annual visitors, shared with his neighbour the Automate Museum, he gained a regional reputation before being demolished in 2023 to give way to housing. The collections, from private donations, had to be relocated, marking the end of an era for this emblematic cultural place on the Atlantic coast.

Unlike other fun museums in the department, often open only in high season, the La Rochelle Models Museum maintained an activity all year round, imposing itself as a key player in the local tourist heritage. Its complementarity with neighbouring structures, rather than competition, illustrated a collaborative cultural dynamic in Charente-Maritime. The diversity of his animations and the quality of his exhibitions made him a model in his field, attracting a family audience and passionate about modeling.

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