Welcome to a unique guided tour of La Rochelle, where we delve into the splendor of 18th-century merchants. During this time, the merchant bourgeoisie of La Rochelle prospered through their colonial trade with the Antilles and the “slave trade.” Sugar, the white gold of Saint-Domingue (formerly Haiti), was the key to their wealth.

Suzanne Van Hoogwerff, a privileged witness of this period, invites you to follow in the footsteps of this merchant elite, to which she belonged, through the magnificent private mansions of the city. She will unveil the daily life of this society: business dealings, meetings in exclusive circles, the role of women, the intricacies of outfitting ships for the triangular trade, strategies for entering this privileged milieu, and much more. You will also discover their lifestyle, the details of a typical day, their food, clothing, as well as their entertainment, such as receptions, balls, and theater.

Suzanne Van Hoogwerff, hailing from a Dutch family settled in La Rochelle, grew up within this prosperous society. Her father, Pierre Jean, managed to climb the social ladder thanks to the white gold of Saint-Domingue. With her in-depth knowledge of the families, their habits, way of life, successes, and failures, she will reveal the secrets of this fascinating era. Come and explore the opulence and grandeur of 18th-century La Rochelle through the eyes of Suzanne Van Hoogwerff.