Tucked away in the charming town of Seuilly, the Allée de la Devinière whispers tales of a literary giant. This isn’t just any path. It leads to the birthplace of François Rabelais, the renowned Renaissance writer. The Allée de la Devinière winds through the grounds of La Devinière, Rabelais’ childhood home. Imagine young François, exploring the same grounds, his mind already brimming with the fantastical stories that would later captivate the world. La Devinière itself is a collection of buildings surrounding a square courtyard. The 15th-century house, built of tuffeau stone, stands proudly, holding Rabelais’s very bedroom within its walls. A 17th-century dovecote barn, with its distinctive rounded terracotta roof, speaks of the family’s prosperity. Its 288 pigeonholes, each housing a pair of pigeons, directly linked to the size of their landholdings. The sharecropper’s house, now dedicated to Rabelais’s life and travels, adds another layer to the story. The winemaker’s house, complete with an oven and stone pot, offers a glimpse into daily life at La Devinière. Even the cellars hold secrets. Originally quarries from which the tuffeau stone for the house was extracted, they later served as stables, a troglodyte dwelling, and wine cellars. Now, they house captivating temporary exhibitions. The Allée de la Devinière isn’t just a walkway. It’s a journey through time, connecting us to the early life of a literary genius. It’s a place where the echoes of Rabelais’s laughter and the whispers of his fantastical tales still linger in the air.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to