A few kilometers from Chinon, the Devinière manor is a A true haven of peace, the birthplace of François Rabelais in 1483 or 1494The epicenter of the petty squabbles in Gargantua, the writer's birthplace is now entirely dedicated to this major figure of French literature, master and prince in his own land: the Rabelaisian.
Classified as a historical monument, the buildings of La Devinière form a an absolutely remarkable ensemble The 15th-century manor house, dovecote-barn, troglodyte dwelling, vast cellars, and winemaker's house are just some of the spaces to discover in this unique setting. The manor offers a A marvelous journey into the universe of François Rabelais, following in the footsteps of his imaginary giants. via an interpretive trail and hiking paths. In the preserved environment of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural ParkVisitors, young and old, are invited to immerse themselves in everything that makes up the culture of this beautiful country: the museum offers a fun and appetizing tour for children and "tasting tours" or "sweet/savory readings" for adults.
While François Rabelais and his work are at the heart of the museum, the ambition of La Devinière is also to mobilize them for to grasp and understand more broadly the ideas of the Renaissance in which the famous writer is featured. Reading Rabelais's texts, often surprising in their own way, allows us to understand the importance of this author in the formation of the French language. Quickly, the characters imagined by Rabelais, from Grandgousier to Gargantua, including Panurge and Pantagruel, join the visit to La Devinière to rediscover a vivid language that provokes laughter through spoonerisms, verbal inventions, and expressions that have since become part of everyday language.
From the writer's legendary birthplace to the iconic façade of the dovecote-barn attached to the house in the 17th century, the Devinière manor Having become a museum in 1951, it allows for a total and fascinating immersion in Rabelaisian culture. in the imagination of one of the most influential writers in French literature. Under his pen, the kitchen, complete with a large fireplace and a stone sink, becomes the setting for the banquets of Grandgousier, the master of the house. In the 19th century, under the brush of Gustave Doré, Gargantua comes to life in a painting displayed on the first floor alongside another canvas from the same period: Jules Garnier's The Trial of Panurge. Finally, the troglodyte cellars, a link between the house, the artwork and the landscape, allow us to discover theimportant wine-growing activity at Clos de la Devinièrebut also to regularly host temporary exhibitions.
- Continue your exploration of the Loire Valley with the circuit Around Chinon within which this monument is situated.
