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Pierre Loti's house
Born in 1850 in this house, Pierre Loti, the pen name of Louis-Marie-Julien Viaud, was a colorful character. Inspired by his brother Gustave, a naval doctor, Pierre Loti wanted to become a naval officer. Gustave’s death at sea in 1865 only strengthened his determination and he managed to sail the seas. It was during his travels that Pierre found the inspiration for his many novels, which became major successes, and which led him to the Académie française in 1891 and was even elected in place of Émile Zola, a perennial candidate for the illustrious institution, with whom he was in direct competition.
In his ” Roman d’un enfant” (A Child’s Novel), Pierre Loti evoked his childhood in this very particular house, a house that the writer insisted on keeping all his life, despite his numerous escapades, especially in the Basque country which fascinated him.
From his travels, Pierre Loti did not fail to bring back memories, inspirations and dreams. He took the opportunity to decorate his family home. A house that he didn’t think was big enough. In 1895, Pierre Loti bought the adjoining house at 139 rue Antoine Chauzy and transformed the premises by creating numerous museum rooms. The parties he organized there were memorable, many celebrities of the time flocked there, including Sarah Bernhardt, a regular visitor. In 1973, his home became a museum, opened by the city of Rochefort after the novelist’s family transferred the premises in 1969.
However, this decision is far from Pierre Loti’s wishes. In a letter to his son Samuel, the novelist authorized him to sell everything except family heirlooms and his personal museum. “You keep or you burn” had given as an instruction his sire. Fortunately, Samuel did not do so, and the city can now boast one of the most extraordinary museums in the world. Quite well off.
When the First World War broke out, Pierre Loti was 64 years old. The navy refused to reinstate him, so he joined the army with the rank of colonel and even became an advisor to the Italian army headquarters.
House of Pierre Loti
Built between the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century, this house was the main house of Pierre Loti, a travel writer from Rochefort.
In 1802, Pierre Loti’s maternal grandfather bought the building, which was then located on rue Saint-Pierre. In 1840, it was raised, thus gaining a floor. It was not until 1871 that Pierre Loti bought the house from his mother.
He then began numerous renovations, even going so far as to acquire adjoining houses to enlarge the space and realize all his projects. The author wanted to create a theme for each room, evoking his many travels.
Bought by the city of Rochefort in 1969, the first visits of the house, which has become a museum to the glory of the writer, started in 1973. Classified as a historical monument in 1990, Pierre Loti’s house has become a landmark of the city of Rochefort.
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By Damien Duarte
Passionné par la culture pop depuis son enfance, ses références vont de Donald Duck à Batman en passant par Marty McFly. Fantripper dans l'âme, voyager sur les traces de Ghostbusters, James Bond ou des héros de romans comme Cotton Malone fait partie d'un séjour idéal et réussi !