Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée d'Orbigny Bernon, housed in a mansion built in 1893 by a rich shipowner from Rochelais, initially hosted collections from the Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle from 1850. These collections, enriched by donations, bequests and government deposits, covered various fields such as decorative arts, history, ethnology and Asia. The museum played a major cultural role in the city until its closure in September 2012, when its works were transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts, itself being renovated.

The building, marked by its bourgeois architecture of the nineteenth century, reflects the economic and political importance of La Rochelle at that time, linked in particular to maritime commerce. After its closure, the site was reconverted to accommodate the city's cultural services, marking a transition in its use while preserving its architectural heritage. The accuracy of its location remains poor (level 5/10), and its official address, 2 rue Saint-Côme, contrasts with an approximate GPS location (2 Rue de la Noue).

Ranked as Musée de France, the establishment has benefited from a label recognizing the quality of its collections and its territorial anchor. Available sources, such as Monumentum and internal data, highlight its historical and architectural interest, while noting the challenges associated with its location and management of its collections after its closure. The contact telephone (05 46 41 18 83) and its Insee code (17300) confirm its connection to Charente-Maritime in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

External links