La Mounière, House of Memoirs

In the heart of the former bastide of Septfonds, dive into three local histories that have shaped great History: the hat-making industry, the life of Dieudonné Costes, a pioneer of aviation, and the memories of the Judes camp (1939–1945).
At La Mounière, discover:

- The straw hat and the birth of a thriving industry
It was in Septfonds, at the end of the 19th century, that a prosperous industry developed: straw hat making. At its peak, 7 million hats were produced each year, spreading the village’s reputation far beyond the region.

- Aviation through the life of Dieudonné Costes
A native of the area, he achieved in 1930, together with Maurice Bellonte, the first nonstop flight from Paris to New York aboard The Question Mark. An extraordinary human and technical adventure that left a lasting mark on aviation history.

- 1939–1945: the Judes camp and policies for the reception of foreigners deemed undesirable
The camp memorial and other places of remembrance in the village extend the reflection and the visit.

At La Mounière, the visit is an experience:
– a scenographic exhibition space
– places of remembrance, including the camp memorial and its permanent exhibition and the spanish cemetery
– themed walking routes through the village

Exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, concerts, workshops… the program sets the rhythm of the year and turns every visit into a lively and enriching experience.

Three memories, one shared invitation: understanding the past to shed light on the present. So, are you ready to be surprised?