Maison du Platin

In the town of La Flotte-en-Ré, at number 4 Cours Félix Faure, we find “Maison du Platin”, or the home of Foreshore, a museum dedicated mainly to maritime history.

The insular situation of Ré has given a paramount importance to navigation and encouraged the development of various maritime activities. The Museum of the Foreshore has thus chosen to orient its vocation towards this inseparable component of the island’s lifestyle.

The home of Foreshore has thus constituted an important collection of tools and equipments for fishing, marine objects, models of boats, signs, canoes and lifebuoys. Most of these objects come from donations of La Flotte inhabitants.

Despite the museum’s maritime orientation, visitors can also visit sections devoted to archeology and medieval architecture, regional arts and traditions. An important photographic collection is also part of the museum's wealth.

The archaeological collections are displayed on the building’s ground floor. They are vestiges of the Abbey of the Châteliers, stronghold of the Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages. It conserves and displays many floor tiles, sculptures, coins, architectural elements such as capitals, keystones and much more.

The third level of the building hosts various tools, clothing, furniture, accessories and everyday objects. These articles illustrate life and social organization of the island’s inhabitants through several centuries.