Maison des Mémoires (House of Memories), Carcassonne

The House of Memories (Maison des Mémoires), also known as the Joë Bousquet House (Maison Joë Bousquet), is a unique cultural and historical landmark in Carcassonne. Housed in a beautifully preserved 16th-century mansion, this space offers a profound glimpse into the life of Joë Bousquet (1897–1950), the surrealist poet who lived there, paralyzed, from 1924 until his death.

Dubbed the “house of a hundred windows,” this building became a vibrant hub of artistic and intellectual activity during the early 20th century. Despite his immobility, Bousquet welcomed some of the era's most celebrated minds, including Paul Valéry, Max Ernst, René Magritte, André Gide, Salvador Dalí, and Simone Weil. His room, preserved exactly as it was during his lifetime, serves as the centerpiece of the museum, embodying the poet’s creative legacy and his ability to open “a window on the world” despite his confinement.

Visitors to the House of Memories can explore an array of manuscripts, paintings, and publications that reveal Bousquet’s profound influence on literature and art. The house also hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences, and literary evenings, often focusing on the interplay between writing and artistic creation.

The mansion has a rich history beyond Bousquet’s time. Formerly the residence of Joseph Dupré, a prominent 18th-century merchant and politician, it also served as the headquarters of the “Cercle du Salon” during the 19th century, hosting notable local figures. Later, it housed the Center for Cathar Studies and is now home to the Audois Ethnographic Research and Animation Group and its library, which continues to promote ethnographic research.

Acquired by the General Council of Aude in 1993 and opened to the public in 1995, the House of Memories has been recognized as a House of the Illustrious since 2011, cementing its role as a cultural institution of national importance. A visit here is not only a journey into the surrealist world of Joë Bousquet but also an encounter with the rich historical and artistic fabric of Carcassonne.