Château de la Brède, one of the most impressive castles in Gironde is located only 25 km south of Bordeaux. The extraordinary castle (originally a fortress) was built in a Gothic style during the 13th to the 16th century and is today surrounded by water-filled moats and an English garden.
The Château is famous for being the place of birth of Charles-Louis de Secondat, known as Montesquieu, the great French political philosopher. Montesquieu, born in La Brede in 1689, loved the chateau and expanded it steadily over the years. The guided visit proposed at the castle takes you through his room, the guest room, and his beautiful library where he wrote many of his works.
Château de la Brède is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
The interiors of the castle are accessible through guided tours only.
Text and photo by Ira Szmuk
