Château de la Brède
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The Château de la Brède is a feudal castle in the commune of La Brède in the département of Gironde, France.
The castle was built in the Gothic style starting in 1306, on the site of an earlier castle. It is surrounded by water filled moats and an English garden, in the centre of a Bordelais vineyard. Despite modifications over the centuries, it has kept its character as a fortress.
The philosopher Montesquieu (full title: Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu) was born and lived here and wrote the majority of his works here. Visitors may see his library (though the books have been transferred to the library in Bordeaux) and his bedroom, both preserved as they were in the 18th century.
At her death in 2004, the Countess of Chabannes, a descendant of Montesquieu and last owner of the château, bequeathed her belongings, including the castle, to the Foundation named after her.
The castle is open to visitors from Easter to 11th November. It is classed by the French Ministry of Culture as a monument historique.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Château de La Brède on Montesquieu tourist office site (English)
- Ministry of Culture listing for Domaine de Montesquieu
- Ministry of Culture photo
- This article was initially translated from the Wikipedia article Château de la Brède, specifically from this version.
