Ongoing
Rochefort - Hôtel de Cheusses/Arsenal
From Castle to Museum: Faces of the Hôtel de Cheusses
The museum presents—within its permanent route—reproductions of documents from the archives of the Historical Service of Defense in Rochefort. Starting June 5, 2024, displayed materials shed light on the Hôtel de Cheusses, which today houses the collections of the National Maritime Museum and bears witness to over 400 years of history.
Presentation
Built from the end of the 16th century to serve as the lord’s residence, the building was requisitioned by the Navy in 1666 for Arsenal needs. Over the years, its functions evolved: until 1927, it housed the Navy’s Command, Intendance, then Commissariat. After the Arsenal’s closure, the Hôtel de Cheusses adopted a heritage vocation. It was nationally listed as a historic monument in 1932 and hosted the naval museum from 1936 to 1940, before closing during World War II. It has displayed collections again since 1973.
Plans, drawings, photographs, and manuscripts now illuminate the architectural history and transformations of the Hôtel de Cheusses.
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Enlarge image : 35x26_PRBaryta315_No6_5_G_611.tif
Elevation on Place La Galissonnière, offices of the Commissariat de la Marine, [no date], architectural sketch, Service historique de la Défense, Travaux maritimes,
June 5 – November 3
Hôtel de Cheusses/Arsenal, 1 place de la Gallissonnière – 17300 Rochefort
Included with the museum ticket