Maison Julien-Gracq

About the museum

The Maison Julien Gracq is located in Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, on the Loire quays, at the foot of the writer's family home. Julien Gracq lived there and bequeathed his property so that, according to his will, it would become a temporary place of rest and work for writers. The bequest comprises two buildings and two plots separated by a path: the family house, built in the 1920s by the Poirier family, and the Grenier à sel (salt granary), a medieval building that was formerly a harbor office (capitainerie) controlling traffic on the Loire.

In 2009, the town of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil called on the Pays de la Loire Region to design and finance the project. Work began in November 2012 under the direction of chief architect of historic monuments Gabor Mester de Parajd. The house welcomed its first resident writers in 2013, and the Grenier à sel has been open to the public since July 4, 2014. The site received the “Maison des Illustres” label in 2012.

The association that runs the site now hosts writers, artists and researchers in residence. On the first floor of the Grenier à sel, visitors see the Chambre des cartes, devoted to Julien Gracq as writer and geographer, and upstairs they can consult the library, which holds books by the writer and other collections. The garden and temporary exhibitions complete the visit.

Highlights

• Chambre des cartes: permanent exhibition on Julien Gracq as writer and geographer
• Reading library of around 5,000 books, including those of Julien Gracq
• Medieval salt granary on the banks of the Loire
• Writer's family home, venue for authors' residencies
• Guided tour of the estate on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Permanent exhibitions

• Gracq, de la carte au livre – Permanent exhibition designed with documents from the IGN, presenting Julien Gracq as a writer-geographer; a digital table offers his biography and recordings.
• Bibliothèque de la Maison Julien Gracq – Reading library of around 5,000 books on the upper floor of the Grenier à sel, including books that once belonged to Julien Gracq.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Association Maison Julien Gracq

Admission & discounts

Entry to the Chambre des cartes is free. Access to the garden and library costs €3; it is free for under-18s, students, residents of Mauges-sur-Loire and recipients of minimum social benefits. A partnership with three other sites in Mauges-sur-Loire (Cap Loire, Moulin de l'Épinay, Musée des métiers de Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine) entitles visitors to a reduced rate on presentation of a ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the website, the visit is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Self-guided visits are possible with an English-language document for non-French-speaking visitors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Angers 35 minutes via the A11 highway (exit Beaupréau), from Nantes 45 minutes via the A11 (exit Ancenis). From Paris, about 3 hours via the A11.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

WiFi and power outlets in the library, which is also set up as a reading and working space.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The library hosts seminars, workshops, training sessions, lectures and meetings for universities, associations and companies.

Plan your visit