Maison Henri II: Overall view, at end of garden court

Built for Hugues Pontard, whose son, Fran\u00E7ois, became mayor of La Rochelle in 1567. Popularly called 'the house of Henri II' the structure is not a house at all, but a frontage without depth. Its superimposed galleries are only narrow corridors linking the two wings of the actual home, with a staircase in the tower. It is thus a monumental decoration, facing the garden court for the satisfaction of its patron Pontard. The architect is unknown, but worked in a classic Renaissance style.