The building was once the residence of the Intendants of the Navy, including Michel Bégon, who famously documented local flora and fauna.
The museum serves as the guardian of the original archives and plans of the Rochefort Arsenal, which closed in 1927.
It houses a rare collection of 18th-century ship models known as 'ship-of-the-line' models, used for training and naval architecture study.
The Hôtel de Cheusses was spared from destruction when the rest of the Arsenal was decommissioned, allowing for its preservation as a museum.
The collection includes authentic figureheads recovered from historic vessels, showcasing the elaborate wood-carving traditions of the period.
The National Museum of the Marine in Rochefort is housed within the former Hôtel de Cheusses, the oldest building in the city, situated at the entrance to the historic Royal Shipyard. It showcases the maritime history of the arsenal, which served as the primary naval base of the French Atlantic fleet for nearly three centuries. The collection highlights the development of naval architecture, ship construction, and the daily life of sailors during the age of sail. Exhibits include a significant collection of maritime models, figureheads, and navigational instruments. The museum building itself dates back to the mid-17th century and serves as an architectural relic of the Ancien Régime. It remains the centerpiece of the local naval heritage precinct, closely linked to the ongoing reconstruction of the frigate Hermione.
The facade of the Hôtel de Cheusses, which offers a clear view of its historic architecture set against the backdrop of the Charente river estuary.
Combine your visit with a tour of the adjacent Corderie Royale for a complete understanding of the arsenal's history.
Check the calendar for the Hermione frigate's presence, as the ship is often docked or undergoing maintenance within the same complex.
Take advantage of the museum's location to walk the historic ramparts of the arsenal.
Trying to see the entire arsenal complex in a single hour; the scale of the site requires more time to appreciate the context.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Standard museum etiquette; no flash photography in areas displaying sensitive historical documents or light-sensitive wood artifacts.
