Magasin du Roi (King's Storehouse)

In this echoing L shaped storehouse you may sense the sheer volume of merchandise required by a fortress and its garrison. From here storekeeper André Carrerot had to feed, clothe and equip 700 soldiers, supply powder and shot to the defences, and distribute tools and materials for public works. Clerks and coopers laboured here, and cats kept down the pests. Bins, barrels and tin-lined lockers filled up with flour, salt beef and molasses, while ropes and tools and timber accumulated on the beaten earth that covers an underlying cobblestone pavé to reduce the persistent dampness. This was primarily a garrison store, but in time of crisis the townspeople bought food from the royal stockpiles. Food ran short in 1744 ⁠— the troops were infuriated to see the best of the stock here being sold off to civilians.

Leaving the royal storehouse, turn right on the quay and head east past Rue Toulouse and the Hôtel de la Marine.