Land of men of letters and artists, South Gironde was,
the refuge of the writer François Mauriac, the summer studio and the residence of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, or even the place of residence of the philosopher of the Enlightenment Montesquieu.
Let us take you in the footsteps of these illustrious people who have marked the political, social and cultural history of France, by visiting three memorial sites labeled “Maisons des Illustres” by the Ministry of Culture.
Malagar, Francois Mauriac Center
To the south of Bordeaux, the Malagar Estate invites you to walk in the footsteps of François Mauriac, great French writer, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1952, for whom this was one of the family homes. Listed as a Historic Monument, this place offers a superb view of the Garonne valley, the prestigious vineyards of southern Gironde and the Landes forest. Literature and history buffs will be captivated by visiting the estate and the house steeped in the words of the Nobel Prize for Literature and discovering his career.
Closed to the public in 2020 for restoration, the Maison de François Mauriac remains accessible to visitors thanks to the magic of digital technology. Indeed, a life-size virtual visit, on immersive screens, awaits visitors in the Stable, to immerse themselves in the intimacy of the writer.
Installed in the Chai du Rouge, touch screens allow, in addition to the permanent exhibition, to consult many documents related to the life of the famous writer.
After the visit, we recommend the escape game which immerses you in the Malagar of the Second World War, with helmet and controllers.
Toulouse-Lautrec at Chateau Malrome
Malromé belongs to the intimate life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). This is where the genius painter and draftsman came to rediscover the warmth of maternal love. It was his refuge. He had set up his summer studio there. The walls still bear traces of it, and it was there that he died in September 1901 at the age of 37.
In the heart of fifty hectares of a park planted in the XNUMXth century and its vineyards, the Chateau Malrome is a sensitive place of commemoration, which plunges the visitor into an aristocratic residence from the end of the XNUMXth century. The surrounding serene landscape was conducive to the inner rest that Toulouse-Lautrec came to seek.
The Toulouse-Lautrec visit will make you discover the life and work of the painter during a unique encounter.
New for 2020: a new room unveils to the public, exclusively, around fifty original works by the artist.
Château de la Brède, home of Montesquieu
La brède is the domain where Montesquieu (Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, dit Montesquieu 1689-1755), political thinker and philosopher of the Enlightenment, was born.
Historical monument, the castle was built from the XNUMXth century on the ruins of an older construction. Revamped from the Renaissance, it has retained its fortress character, atypical by its polygonal shape which is reflected in the water of the wide moats that surround it.
Montesquieu stayed there regularly and found in this haven of peace the happiness of a simple life and an environment conducive to reflection and writing. During the visit you can even see the philosopher's room, preserved in its 2016th century state. Following major restoration work undertaken since 2019, since the end of XNUMX we have been able to discover the magnificent XNUMXth century fresco on display in Montesquieu's library.
A great opportunity to (re)discover this castle and its park conducive to strolling and disconnecting.