DESPIAU-WLÉRICK MUSEUM

The Musée Despiau-Wlérick is closed for renovation. The permanent collection exhibition rooms are now inaccessible, as are the temporary exhibitions and the sculpture garden. The museum is preparing for renovation work lasting until 2027 or even 2030. Located in the heart of Mont-de-Marsan's historic center, in the remarkable medieval setting of the Lacataye keep, the Musée Despiau-Wlérick houses an atypical and unrivalled collection of ^20th-century French figurative sculpture. It was originally intended to house the works of sculptors Charles Despiau (1874-1946) and Robert Wlérick (1882-1944), both from Mont-de-Marsan. The female figure was for them an inexhaustible source of inspiration and creation. In this fine institution, you can admire sculptures in bronze, marble, plaster, wood and terracotta. Among the three hundred pieces exhibited in the museum, you can also enjoy those of independent sculptors, classical or modernist, such as Drivier, Fath or Joffre, as well as discovering unpublished works from the 1937 International Exhibition. In recent years, the collection has also opened up to the work of figurative artists from the second half of the ^twentieth century, including the studio collection of sculptor Léopold Kretz. After your visit, take in the view: the roof terrace of the Lacataye keep offers a lovely panoramic view of the town of Mont-de-Marsan and the surrounding area, while the landscaped gardens invite you to take a stroll. Events, conferences and sculpture exhibitions are regularly organized in the temporary exhibition gallery, which borders the sculpture garden, and the lower part of the river is a popular place to relax. A must-see during your stay! Since 2021, a new feature has been offered to tourists: the Sculpture Walk. As you can see, sculpture plays an important role in the urban landscape of Mont-de-Marsan. Perhaps you've already spotted them on your stroll. In all, some forty works of art can be seen in the town center, and you can discover their history on your own during a connected stroll. To set off on your own, you'll need a map and your smartphone. A walk has also been created for children! Booklets with maps are available from the museum or the Tourist Office. An unusual way to visit the city!