Musée Rochelais d’Histoire Protestante

Museum in La Rochelle

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chris06

The Musée Rochelais d’Histoire Protestante, located at 2 rue Saint-Michel in La Rochelle, offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s Protestant heritage, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries when La Rochelle was a significant Huguenot stronghold. Established in 1931 by Pastor Samuel Eynard and renovated in 1995, the museum is housed within the former Récollets church, now the Protestant temple, and is recognized with the “Musée de France” label by the French Ministry of Culture.

The museum’s collection spans three chronological rooms, featuring artifacts such as historical documents, engravings, portraits, and objects that trace the life of Protestants in La Rochelle and the surrounding regions from the 16th century to the present. Notable items include communion cups and a portable pulpit from the clandestine “Desert” period, as well as rare pieces like 16th-century ceramics by Bernard Palissy, a tapestry of the Ten Commandments dated 1779, and a presumed portrait of Catherine de Parthenay, Duchess of Rohan.

The museum also houses a library rich in 17th and 18th-century works, including Bibles in various European languages and literature related to the Protestant experience and the Refuge. Visitors can delve into themes such as the Reformation in La Rochelle, the role of Protestant printers, maritime activities, and the impact of events like the Grand Siege of 1627–1628 and the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.

Open year-round, the Musée Rochelais d’Histoire Protestante provides an insightful journey into the city’s tumultuous religious past and the enduring legacy of its Protestant community.

The Musée Rochelais d’Histoire Protestante appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting La Rochelle!

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