Château de La Brède

Castle in Bordeaux

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Hervé Devred

The Château de La Brède, located approximately 20 kilometers south of Bordeaux in the commune of La Brède, is a well-preserved medieval fortress with significant historical and cultural importance. Constructed beginning in 1306, this Gothic-style castle is encircled by water-filled moats and set amidst an expansive English-style park. Its distinctive polygonal layout and robust defensive features reflect the architectural norms of feudal France.

This château is renowned as the birthplace and lifelong residence of the esteemed philosopher Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, born here on January 18, 1689. Montesquieu composed many of his influential works within these walls, including “The Spirit of Laws,” which has had a lasting impact on political theory. Visitors to the château can explore Montesquieu’s personal library and his bedroom, both preserved to reflect their 18th-century condition, offering a tangible connection to his intellectual legacy.

The château remained under the ownership of Montesquieu’s descendants until 2004, when the last heir, the Countess Jacqueline de Chabannes, bequeathed the estate to a foundation bearing her name. In 2008, the French Ministry of Culture recognized the château as a Monument Historique, underscoring its cultural and historical significance. Today, the Château de La Brède is open to the public from Easter until November 11, inviting visitors to delve into its rich history and enjoy the serene beauty of its surrounding gardens and parklands.

The Château de La Brède appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bordeaux!

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