Chateau de la Brede

The Château de La Brède is a unique monument, both for its architecture and its intellectual history. Built from the 14th century onwards on the ruins of an earlier fortified castle, it retains a spectacular defensive aspect with its polygonal shape, its still-present water-filled moat, and its drawbridges. Unlike many other castles, it was not transformed into a stately palace during the Renaissance, thus preserving its austere and powerful character as a medieval fortress. It was here, in the heart of this protected building, that Montesquieu was born in 1689. He lived here for most of his life, managing his lands and vineyards while writing his major works. His library and bedroom, preserved in their original state, are the highlight of the visit. One can still feel the atmosphere of the philosopher's work, whose ideas on the separation of powers laid the foundations of modern democracies.