Pierre Loti's restored home reopens in France, showcasing his fascination with Morocco
The restoration covered the building's foundations, around twenty rooms, and the numerous objects preserved within, in addition to major structural repairs. «The guiding principle was to create the impression that Pierre Loti had just left the place yesterday», explained Camille Alazet, a decorative painter who restored «a large portion of what is on display», in an interview with ICI. According to Alazet, the project also required extensive research and documentation: «We had to understand how the original decor was created in order to restore it as faithfully as possible».
This «colossal project» was supported by €16 million in funding from the city of Rochefort, the regional and departmental authorities, the French state, and the Heritage Foundation. Thirty-four trades contributed to the painstaking restoration, including heritage specialists and skilled craftspeople. In keeping with Pierre Loti's last wishes, the small museum room remains closed to visitors.
However, a new surprise awaits—even for returning guests: the restored Chinese Room, now open to the public for the first time.
A dedicated interpretation space has also been added to help visitors understand the writer's unique collections. Visits follow a mandatory guided chronological tour, with tickets available via the official website.
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