Musée Ernest Cognacq

The Ernest Cognacq Museum, which has been awarded the Musée de France label, is an essential stop-off point for exploring the island of Ré, with its permanent and temporary art and history exhibitions. A chronological tour rich in archaeological, historical and ethnographic collections presents the main events that have shaped the island of Ré:

- From archaeological finds to decorative art objects, follow the development of a flourishing economy based on vine cultivation and salt production, and the emergence of a society of merchants and shipowners.
- Military history can be seen in the engraving of the 1627 siege of the Île de Ré, and in the manuscript plans of Vauban's bastioned fortifications. One room is dedicated to the 12 major Vauban sites listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, with a scale model detailing the design by Louis XIV's great engineer for the fortified town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
- From 1873 onwards, the citadel became the antechamber to the colonial penal colony, and the history of this place of detention for convicts sent to the penal colony in French Guiana and New Caledonia is told through objects and images from the period.
- The rooms on the ground floor of the medieval dwelling are devoted to maritime life, with collections of models and marine artefacts, and to ceramics, with an emphasis on regional earthenware.

The museum is offering a new and original tour featuring over 200 objects on the history of the island of Ré.
In a colourful scenography, the tour covers the key themes in the history of the island, from its geographical formation to the present day.
The reinvented museum is designed to be accessible to all (children, families, people with disabilities). Enhanced with new features, it's sure to appeal to young and old alike!

- Guided tours of exhibitions and fortifications
- Workshops for young audiences from 4 years old
- Conferences
- Participation in the Night of Museums and Heritage Days
- Admission 5€/adult
- Free for children under 18 years old

Openings :

From April 1 to June 30 and from September 1 to October 31
10am-12.30pm/14pm-6pm on weekdays
14h-18h weekend and public holiday

From July 1st to August 31st
10am-7pm

From November 1st to April 30th: during school holidays
10am-12.30pm/14pm-5pm on weekdays
14h-17h weekend and public holiday

Closed weekly on Tuesdays
Closed on 1 January-1 May-1st and 11 November and 25 December.

Tarifs
5 euros full price
3 euros, students up to 25 years old
free: 0 - 18 years old, friends of the museum, job seekers and 1st Sunday of the month