We take you today to discover the castle of Brède, built from 1306, remodeled during the Renaissance, which has retained its fortress character. Curious by its polygonal shape which is reflected in the water of the wide moats that surround it, it is the castle of Montesquieu.
Say, tell me the story ofu Château de la Brède
Until the 1686th century, the estate belonged successively to the families of La Lande, de l'Isle and Pesnel. In 18, it became the property of the Secondat family. It is therefore in this castle that, on January 1689, XNUMX, Charles Louis de Secondat, baron of La Brède and Montesquieu, better known under the name of Montesquieu. Very attached to this family castle, he stays there regularly, because it is a quiet place conducive to reflection and writing.
Abandoned at the time of the Revolution, the descendants of Montesquieu then made the castle their family residence. They carried out repairs there throughout the XNUMXth century, with this desire to best preserve the heritage of their ancestor: the bedroom on the ground floor, where the author spent the last years of his life, will not be not affected by the refurbishment works of the XNUMXth century, which marked an evolution in taste towards the neo-Gothic or troubadour style. The historical rooms and the living rooms are clearly separated, the living rooms are largely modified.
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©Castle of La Brède
The visit of the castle, remarkably preserved over the centuries, is done after crossing three wooden footbridges which allow you to pass over the moat. We then discover a succession of fully furnished rooms: the antechamber, the living room, the secretaries' bedroom and that of Montesquieu's wife, the chapel, etc.
The room and the great room (library) preserved in their state, is the place where the philosopher works.
He wrote part of his major work De l'Esprit des lois there.
This large room deserves special attention: its floor is supported by a spike of heavy stone and wood supports, the fireplace mantle is decorated with a XNUMXth century mural painting representing a bearded king on horseback, accompanied by a prelate and a lord: Charles VII and his retinue or, more probably Charlemagne, Roland and Turpin. Them again ! (this little note is for you if you have read all our stories 😉).
This room counted several thousand works at the time when Montesquieu lived in the castle.
Countess Jacqueline de Chabannes, descendant of Denise, Montesquieu's youngest daughter, lived at the Château de La Brède until her death in 2004. She created the Jacqueline de Chabannes Foundation, intended to preserve and promote this illustrious heritage. to a wide audience. In 1994, she made a donation to the municipal library of Bordeaux, where all the manuscripts and works are deposited in order to preserve this invaluable fund.
The gardens of La Brède have always been favored by Montesquieu. He modified the park that surrounds his castle, drawing inspiration from the English gardens and parks discovered during his stay in England in 1731. Various plans of the park discovered at the end of the 2000s made it possible to find the sets of perspectives wanted by Montesquieu . The large green carpet, the grove and the arbor could thus be restored. It's up to you to discover and enjoy the residence of the famous philosopher in its preserved and favorite green setting!
The castle of La Brède
La brède
Castle and park classified as Historic Monuments
To see and do, near the Château de La Bréde
Château Latour Martillac
In the heart of the village of Martillac, Château Latour Martillac is a stone's throw from the Château de La Brède. The site was once the ancient residence of Montesquieu's ancestors. Its first name was Château Latour, named after the Tower which remained from the old fort from the 1930th century. Completely rebuilt at the end of the 1936th century, it took the name Latour Martillac in XNUMX in order to differentiate it from its Médoc namesake. The Castle acquired its letters of nobility in XNUMX with King George V who selected it for its consecration. Its gardens overlook the Garonne and its vineyards are crossed by local loops leaving the village.
