Musée Ernest Cognacq

To learn everything about the history of this island territory, a visit to the Ernest Cognacq Museum is a must.
Its art and history collections illustrate the main events that shaped the island of Ré. From archaeological furniture to decorative art objects, follow the development of a flourishing economy based on vine growing and salt production and the emergence of a society of traders and shipowners.
Military history can be seen in front of the engraving of the siege of the island of Ré in 1627, and in front of the handwritten plans of the bastioned fortifications of Vauban. A room is dedicated to the 12 major Vauban sites classified as Unesco World Heritage Sites, with a model detailing the project of the great engineer of Louis XIV for the fortified square of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
From 1873 onwards, the citadel became the antechamber of the colonial convicts. the history of this place of detention for convicts sentenced to prison in French Guiana and New Caledonia was reconstructed through period objects and images.
The rooms on the ground floor of the medieval dwelling are dedicated to maritime life, around the collections of models and marine objects, and to ceramics, with an emphasis on regional earthenware, not to mention the pictorial creation on the island of Ré.

- Guided tours of exhibitions and fortifications
- Workshops for young audiences from 4 years old
- Conferences
- Participation in the Night of Museums, Rendez-vous aux jardins and Heritage Days
- Admission 4€/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.

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

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