La Treille Muscate - Maison de Colette

The Saga of La Treille Muscate

Delve into a Captivating Acquisition: La Treille Muscate

Step into the heart of a captivating acquisition: La Treille Muscate, a coveted gem acquired on November 6, 1925, by Colette, the eminent writer and journalist. In Saint-Tropez, within the Bay of Canebiers, a fortuitous encounter transforms into a poetic love affair.

Nestled Within a Garden that Caresses Azure Waters

Nestled within a garden that caresses azure waters, La Treille Muscate blossoms like a rare treasure. Its hectare of fertile land hosts a lush Eden where sun-soaked muscat grapes coexist with fruit trees and vegetables. Enthralled, Colette marvels, "I discovered this house at the edge of a road that automobiles fear, behind an unassuming yet sublime gate... A modest one-story house... Its terrace draped in wisteria... The sea as a backdrop, extending, enhancing this luminous shore (...). Here, I am free to live if I so desire, to die if I can..." Colette's Union with La Treille Muscate

Dive into the Intimacy of La Treille Muscate

Experience the intimacy of La Treille Muscate, the summer refuge where Colette dedicates herself to writing her magnum opus, "Break of Day." In this enchanting place, she confides, "Is this my final abode? I apprehend it, I listen to it, as this brief internal night succeeds, here, the noon hour. The cicadas and the new shelter that crowns the terrace crackle, a mysterious insect crushes tiny sparks between its elytra, the scarlet bird in the pine lets out its cry every ten seconds, while the vigilant west wind encircles my walls, and the sea, calm, dense, unyielding, of a rigid blue, softens at day's end..." Architecture of La Treille Muscate

A Distinctive Architecture

La Treille Muscate stands out with its distinctive architecture. The house is small, single-story, and its terrace is abundantly covered in wisteria. The ensemble exudes timeless charm, in harmony with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Stone walls and traditional shutters add a Provençal touch to the whole.

Garden of La Treille Muscate

A Haven of Peace

The garden of La Treille Muscate is a true haven of peace. Colette entrusts the care of this place to Etienne, nicknamed "the pruning professional." She wishes for the garden to be welcoming to birds and butterflies, where blooming flowers and plants offer a symphony of colors and fragrances. The garden also includes a vegetable patch, as Colette is convinced that a garden should provide sustenance.

Daily Life at La Treille Muscate

Daily life at La Treille Muscate is punctuated by Colette's routines and habits. Visitors, such as Kessel, Carco, Dunoyer de Ségonzac, and many others, are warmly welcomed around Colette's table. Meals are a true feast, featuring green melons, anchoïade, rice with favouilles, stuffed scorpionfish, eggplant fritters, bouillabaisse, and aïoli.

Encounters and Events at La Treille Muscate

La Treille Muscate is a place that attracts numerous famous personalities. Writers, artists, and intellectuals gather around Colette in this lively cultural atmosphere. Conversations are animated, intellectual exchanges are stimulating, and the evenings are memorable.

Colette and Her Work at La Treille Muscate

La Treille Muscate exerts a considerable influence on Colette's literary work. This peaceful environment, in touch with nature, inspires her writing. The landscapes, sounds, and scents of La Treille Muscate can be found in many of Colette's works, reinforcing the close connection between the house and her artistic endeavors.

Conservation and Preservation of La Treille Muscate

As a historic and cultural site, La Treille Muscate is subject to conservation and preservation efforts. The house is now privately owned but is occasionally open to the public during European Heritage Days. These initiatives aim to preserve Colette's legacy and allow visitors to discover this historically rich place.

Visiting La Treille Muscate

Culture and literature enthusiasts have the opportunity to visit La Treille Muscate during European Heritage Days. These guided tours offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Colette's world and explore the places that inspired her writing. Schedule, prices, and practical information are available from the organizers.

Influence of La Treille Muscate on Local Tourism

Study the impact of La Treille Muscate on local tourism, examining how Colette's house attracts visitors and contributes to the region's economy.

La Treille Muscate in the Collective Imagination

Explore the place of La Treille Muscate in the collective imagination, as a symbol of Colette's cultural heritage and France's literary history.

Collections and Archives of La Treille Muscate

Discover the collections of objects, letters, and memorabilia related to Colette and La Treille Muscate, preserved in the house's archives.