Musée de la Compagnie des Indes

About the museum

The Musée de la Compagnie des Indes is an art and history museum run by the City of Lorient. It is devoted to the maritime trading companies of the 17th and 18th centuries and to the history of Lorient, a port founded in 1666 by the French East India Company. The first rooms opened in 1984 in the citadel of Port-Louis, facing the Lorient roadstead; the museum was officially inaugurated in November 1985.

The citadel was begun by the Spanish and completed in the early 17th century by the architect Jacques Corbineau. The museum occupies a building beside the Musée national de la Marine. Its route was revised in 2007 and has since been partly renewed every year with new acquisitions and displays.

The collections include ship models, prints and maps, Indo-European furniture and art objects, Chinese porcelain, Indian cotton fabrics, silks and lacquerware. They also show the consequences of this global trade, including colonisation and the subjugation of populations. A recent display is devoted to the wreck of the frigate Prince de Conty.

Highlights

• The only museum in France devoted to the Compagnies des Indes
• Chinese porcelain, Indian cottons, silks and lacquerware
• Ship models and accounts of life on board
• Housed in the citadel of Port-Louis
• One ticket for the citadel and both museums

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent du musée de la Compagnie des Indes – Ship models, Chinese porcelain, Indian cotton fabrics, and Indo-European furniture and art objects that tell the story of the Compagnies des Indes trade in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Ville de Lorient

Visitors per year

approx. 77,042

Admission & discounts

The ticket gives access to the citadel, the Musée de la Compagnie des Indes and the Musée national de la Marine in Port-Louis. Free admission also for RSA recipients, job seekers, teachers in active service (Pass Éducation), members of the museum’s Friends association, ICOM, the SNSM and the Ministry of the Armed Forces in active service.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is listed as accessible to people with disabilities in line with legal requirements. According to the Musée national de la Marine, which runs the citadel’s reception, the indoor spaces are accessible, but the outdoor areas are hard to reach (slopes, cobbles, gravel, steps) and an accompanying person is advised. A disabled parking space is in front of the citadel entrance; wheelchairs are lent free of charge. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted into the citadel.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The Musée national de la Marine, in the same citadel, provides a changing table and lends pushchairs and baby carriers free of charge. A playground is located near the citadel.

Getting there & parking

By car: RN 165 (Vannes–Quimper expressway), exit Port-Louis / Hennebont, then follow the signs to the citadel.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A bookshop-boutique is located in the citadel and open during opening hours. Relaxation area with drink vending machines and picnic tables in the citadel.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit