fbpx

Fanspot
Pierre Loti's house

Novel Le roman d'un enfant Pierre Loti (1890)
Writer, sailor, adventurer and academician, Pierre Loti was a man of a thousand journeys, from which he always brought back a souvenir to decorate his home.
Maison de Pierre Loti Rochefort
Jean-Marie Dumont

“In the dining room of my family home-which then seemed to me a huge place-I had, for some time no doubt, been numb and quiet under the influence of the pervasive darkness.”

Excerpt from Roman d’un enfant by Pierre Loti

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.

64

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.

Go there
Thank you for respecting the privacy and tranquility of the occupants of this place whose address is taken from the public data available on the Internet. If you are the owner and want us to remove your address, please contact us at site [@] fantrippers.com

The Fantrippers Buying Board

Free 30-day trial of Prime Video!

Watch thousands of movies and series anywhere, anytime with Prime Video. Discover Amazon’s flagship series (The Boys, The Lord of the Rings, The Grand Tour…). In addition to enjoying the streaming service, the subscription also allows you to benefit from the other services of Amazon Prime!!! (Free one day delivery, Prime Music…)

Fantrippers' opinion
Content quality

Interest for fans

Value for money

Discover all the places Le roman d'un enfant on our map


Facebook Twitter Instagram

By Damien Duarte

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

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 !

Let's discuss this fanspot

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Commentaires
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments