Guided tour - Journées Européennes du Patrimoine - La Résidence des Indes

The Résidence des Indes museum-teahouse lets you explore the interior of a fully restored shipowner's and merchant's mansion, typical of La Rochelle's "Golden Age", with its 18th-century furniture and objets d'art, as well as objects imported from the Orient, of which the enlightened people of the time were enthusiasts: porcelain and lacquerware from China, printed cotton fabrics from India, etc. You'll also find precious objets d'art from other Asian cultures: Burma, Siam (today's Thailand), Japan and India. You'll also find precious objets d'art from other Asian cultures: Burma, Siam (modern-day Thailand), Japan and India.

Escape to the East Indies through the magic of the fresco by La Rochelle artist Loïc Palluault in the stairwell leading to the Kama suite on the 2nd floor, which reproduces an 1811 painting by the Daniells, uncle and nephew, who sketched over 140 remarkable sites in the Indies, during a 4000 km journey from north to south, east to west, from 1786 to 1793.

Complete your world tour in the former state dining room, converted into an 18th-century cabinet of tribal curiosities from Africa, pre-Columbian America, India and the Pacific.

Finally, discover the story of La Rochelle's cultural boom in the 1960s and 90s, from which the people of La Rochelle still benefit today. It is closely linked to the philanthropic work of Dr. Georges Sabatier, who bought the mansion in 1962 and renovated it from top to bottom. In fact, he was responsible for the creation of much of the town's abundant cultural offering, which gave him the opportunity to host in his residence numerous creators and artists, particularly in the fields of theater, music and cinema, whose spirit still permeates the premises.

As you climb the stairs, discover Indian erotic art and the collection of miniatures and sculptures on stone or wood that featured in the "Kama Sutra" exhibition at the Pinacothèque de Paris in 2014-15.

Each object is captioned and each family of objects documented in a note accessible via a QR code to be scanned.

End your visit with a refreshing drink on the shady green patio or in one of the lounges, with a hot or iced chocolate, non-alcoholic sangria, hot or iced tea, sparkling water or delicious homemade cakes.

Cultural events are regularly organized as part of "Escales au Salon": talks on the history of the Résidence, its collections or La Rochelle and the Orient, tastings, concerts, plays, conferences, reading workshops, yoga or meditation classes, etc. - any activity to which a salon room lends a special flavor.

Check out the "Escales au Salon" calendar on our Facebook page or on our website.