Poet, storyteller and humanist philosopher, Jean de La Fontaine left us a body of work which, more than four centuries after its creation, is still as modern and popular as ever. The house where he was born in Château-Thierry is now a museum celebrating this great figure of French literature with an international reputation.
243 fables, published between 1668 and 1694 and grouped into 3 collections, constitute the major work of Jean de la Fontaine. With their explicit (or sometimes implicit) morals and the portrayal of animals with very human behaviors, these fables are part of a literary tradition of the Middle Ages appreciated for its educational virtues.
Moreover, under the 3rd Republic, they will constitute a founding element of civilization for all French homes by being studied in school, contributing at the same time to make French the language of the national identity.
It is not surprising that today many expressions from his famous fables are still used, such as "Don't sell the bear's skin before you've killed it", "There's no point in running, you have to leave on time" or "He who thought he was going to take is taken".
"One always takes after the place from which one comes"
Jean de La Fontaine's father was Master of Waters and Forests in Château-Thierry when the future fabulist was born in 1621 in a beautiful Renaissance house (the date 1559 is engraved on the right of the door). The house in which the genius of the French language was born, where he lived until 1676, retains several features as he knew them: the stone staircase, the beamed ceilings and the parquet and terracotta floor tiles.
Transformed into a museum in 1876, the house is classified as a historical monument and has been labeled House of Famous and Museum of France. During the visit, one can see the small salon dedicated to the tales and the study of the mischievous Champenois as well as a rich collection of objects and manuscripts dating from the 17th century to nowadays.
After a first collection of works (paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures) made up of several donations made to the city in the 19th century, and then exhibited in the paneled salon on the first floor, the museum was reorganized in 1898 on the second floor of the house where we now find personal objects of the poet (the large key to the gate of the house, his baptismal certificate, autograph manuscripts) and professional objects (editions of his works, paintings on the Lafontain theme...).
To learn more about the man who, like Molière, Racine or Corneille, is a key figure in French culture and to prepare your visit.
Valérie from Comme des Français
Discover other famous houses:
- In the footsteps of Balzac in the countryside
- The incredible home of Josephine Baker
- An artistic place of the 19th century
Crédits photo © Musée Jean de La Fontaine, Château-Thierry. Portrait Jean de La Fontaine par l’atelier d’Hyacinthe Rigaud / Jean-Yves Lacote.
