Art and heritage
Pierre Morel is considered one of Lozère's oldest artists. The master builder, originally from Majorca, directed the construction of Mende Cathedral. He is even said to have taken on some of the more difficult tasks himself. Blaise Mercier, a woodcarver, made his contribution to the edifice around 1680, shaping the cathedral's stalls. His peers, Pascal, Joseph Abounenc and Pagès, took charge of the pulpit and the great Christ.
The 17th century saw the rise of two decorative painters, both based in Mende: Antoine Besnard and Jean Lacour. They notably worked on the Château de Chanac and the churches of Balsièges, Badaroux and Saint-Bauzile. Their work, however, has not survived the centuries unscathed: most of their creations have been destroyed or erased over the years.
Painters
Jeanne Bourrillon-Tournay is a little-known portraitist of the Belle Époque. Born in 1867 and the wife of Maurice Bourrillon, a member of parliament, she lived in Mende and painted many portraits in her house on Boulevard des Capucins. Her worldly paintings are distinguished by their pearly sheen.
After her, Victorien Galière, a teacher and farmer's son, showed great talent for painting. Exhibited in Paris from 1945, his work reflects his vacations at Le Born in Lozère, the local landscapes and the familiar objects he found there. Today, his work is the property of the Conseil départemental, which is responsible for preserving the holdings of the Société des lettres, sciences et arts de la Lozère.
A beautiful museum space
The town of Mende is also home to 16,000 museum objects, covering a period from the earliest traces of life to the present century. Closed since 1995, the Musée Ignon-Fabre has undergone extensive renovation to enable the general public to discover some of these collections. Renamed the Musée du Gévaudan and awarded the Musée de France label, it reopened its doors at the end of 2022.
The 1,200m2 building is divided into three levels. The first floor, open to the surrounding area, is freely accessible, with introductory and shared spaces. The second floor is given over to a permanent exhibition dedicated to the region and its history, roads and paths, through archaeological and contemporary exhibits. The second floor houses temporary exhibitions. Located in the heart of Mende's historic center, this artistic component is part of a wider heritage, urban planning and architectural project aimed at bringing culture to as many people as possible.
