La Maison Garesché

Jean Garesché was an established merchant as early as the 17th century. At the time, trading and naval outfitting were the only professions Protestants were allowed to practice. His son, Isaac, was the first to trade and ship for lucrative expeditions in the West Indies. He sent his sons to La Rochelle to learn and practice the trade. On his death, his widow took over, with the help of her sons Daniel and Pierre Isaac, and the cooperation of a merchant from Taillebourg. They fitted out their ship Le Petit Lauron in the port of Chatressac, on the nearby Seudre - and launched successful operations, both in Newfoundland for fishing and in Santo Domingo for sugar cane.



When Isaac died in 1769, the family lived mainly in La Rochelle, in the hotel that bears his name, at 16 rue Réaumur. His son Daniel became mayor of the town. Pierre Isaac, for his part, embraced the cause of the Revolution and became a deputy for the Third Estate at the 1789 Estates General for the seneschal of Saintes, and a member of the finance committee. He donated to Nieulle-sur-Seudre a building opposite the manor house, where the school, town hall and present-day post office were built.



This beautiful house is typical of the wealthy homes of Protestant families in the 18th century. It has a beautiful courtyard and a large garden.

The decoration on the molded pediment of the front door, depicting cannons, anchors and foliage, symbolizes the sugar trade with the West Indies.



The house is not open to the public.