Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle

by WBlackwell on May 14, 2018

I found this eclectic and fun museum in the heart of the city after walking through another open air market that made me regret no kitchen. The main focus seems to be the natural history cabinet of Clément Lafaille, collector at the origin of the museum when it opened in 1832. Interesting piece in the garden to begin I’m thinking!

 

I thought of the Natural History Museum in Dublin which could use 50% more room.  Sometimes, like this time,  the jumble of animals makes it more interesting not confusing.

I do have my typical beef with French museums.  They all seem to forget that most of the visitors who come to their museums do not speak French.  Many speak English.  France is the only country I’ve visited where the signage in museums and art galleries is rarely in any other language. Everyone else does official language and English.  That rant over your guess is as good as mine as to what you’re seeing

Albatros?

Sunfish

Cassowary

Dinner

Remember this guy later

The light haired one is the world’s biggest rodent, capybara

 

Into another room and we see this

This is only one of the 3 museums I saw today all in great proximity and now I’m not sure which of  the following photos are from the Orbigny-Bernon Museum or the New World Museum (Musee du Nouveau-Monde) as they are across the street from each other. (It’s July 21 as I write)  In the New World, I learned how much the business of slavery was to this city.  Due to it’s Atlantic location it was 3-4 days closer to the West Indies than any other French port so those who had something to trade to or from the area would choose La Rochelle.  The slave trade ended during the French Revolution

The sign says this is Barak Obama

Dressing up slaves for a fake wedding.  If I understood the sign I think the boy in the front with multi-colored skin was considered more valuable

Slave mutiny. Note the white ankles lower right corner

Unfortunately if I presented these as the one panoramic in the exhibit it would be too tiny

Orbigny-Bernon Museum?

Toudouze – L’Escarpolette

Leon Perraualt – La Cigale

Jean-Baptiste Trayer – La reunion Monte Blanc 1666

Henri Baudot – La vanne

Monte- Richelieu sur la digue de La Rochelle.  I had a nice chat with Vincent, one of the staff that afternoon.  I found the defenses odd, he found Richelieu odd. What could the do against wooden ships?  It was not like there were any landing craft.  Rubbish against a cannonball.

Leon Reisener – Bacchus and Ariane

Furcy De Lavault – Nature Morte aux Fleurs

I’m so annoyed that the train strike caused me to miss a day in La Rochelle. Four in Bordeaux, only two here.  The reverse would’ve been preferable.  This is a city to return too.  With kitchenette!

Oh, that horse I said to remember?  I saw this live one a few hours later in a park

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