Lodève

A sculpter and his life, Paul Dardé and Lodeve

After experiencing a meteoric rise to acclaim in Paris and across the Atlantic, in 1920, Paul Dardé (1888-1963) decided to return to his native region to realise his dream of artistic decentralisation. He would never cease to fight to build a free and professional body of work, at the price of extreme poverty. Representing a fascinating period of Art History, a pivotal moment in the evolution of sculpture, Paul Dardé produced his works mainly between the two world wars, in a classical figurative style.
A trip around the city, from one work to another, on the traces of Lodévois sculptor Paul Dardé (1888-1963), winner of National Grand Prix of the arts in 1920.

The former episcopalian city and the Cathedral of St Fulcran

The Bishopric of Lodeve has existed since the 5th century. The episcopal city was developed in the high part of the city, organized around its major edifice. Discovery of the Cathedral of St Fulcran and its testimonies of the episcopalian life were influential up until the Revolution.

What to see & visit in Lodève

National Savonnerie Manufacture, Lodeve Workshop

The Lodeve Workshop is uniquely annexed to the national manufacture of carpets of the Savonnerie. This unique place is where the exceptional carpets destined for embassies, national monuments, the Élysée and even for the collections of the national Mobilier, are still made using a 400 year old weaving technique. The Savonnerie Workshop works in particular with making stylish carpets and reproducing the works of contemporary artists (like Stéphane Bordarier, Julien Gardair Annick Top, Matali Crasset, and Ung No Lee). Four to seven years are necessary for the fabrication of one carpet. We invite you to participate in an intimate visit of a treasure of French heritage with a guide that will help you discover this unique place. This workshop maintains a high level of excellence in the tradition of high quality looming trades.

Practical Information 

Reservations are mandatory, through the Tourism Office.
Handicap Accessible.

Lodeve Hospital and its former apothecary

Part of the exceptional heritage and little known, the apothecary of Lodeve is the second in Herault conserved "in situ" along with that of “The work of Miséricorde in Montpellier”.

This is a 1h30 long visit with a guide approved by the Minister of Culture. Along the way you will learn about the important role of the hospital in centuries past and the rapport between the institution and its donors. The tour will be embellished with an interdisciplinary discourse concerning the heritage of 19th century furniture and pictorial works. The highlight of the visit is the apothecary (or pharmacy) itself, which was restored several years ago and has a dispensary with many glass and porcelaine pots in a remarkable well-preserved condition.

Practical information 

Reservations are mandatory through the Tourism Office.
Handicap accessible.

A former episcopalian city influential up until the Revolution, it was an industrial textile center in the 18th and 19th centuries. A cultured city whose demonstrations reverberated on a national and even international scale, the city was distinguished as a City of Art and History in 2006.

Come to understand the city in the course of its neighborhoods, its remarkable buildings and its architectural elements. You'll get a wide glimpse of the history and heritage of Lodevois. The Bishopric of Lodeve has existed since the 5th century. The episcopal city was developed in the high part of the city, organized around its major edifice. Discovery of the Cathedral of St Fulcran and its testimonies of the episcopalian life were influential up until the Revolution. A trip around the city, from one work to another, on the traces of Lodévois sculptor Paul Dardé (1888-1963), winner of National Grand Prix of the arts in 1920. (During the big summer exposition, the works of Paul Dardé will not be on display at the museum.)  The social and economic history of Lodeve was profoundly affected by the wool activity and the industrial development of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Cardinal of Fleury became minister to Louis XV and ensured his native city a monopoly of the fabric supply for the clothing for the royal infantry troops.

Lodeve, city of art and history