The Descartes museum is located in the town of Descartes, in Indre-et-Loire, 23 km northeast of Châtellerault.
The locality long called La Haye-en-Touraine was then renamed La Haye-Descartes then simply Descartes from 1967.
The mathematician, physicist and philosopher René Descartes was born in the house which became in the 20th century " his" museum on March 31, 1596, and he died on February 11, 1650 in Stockholm.
His father's family was from Châtellerault, his mother's from the village of La Haye, which became the commune of Descartes.
In this house dating in part from the 16th century (other medieval houses have been preserved in the town) where the philosopher was born, a museum was set up in 1974 which was enlarged and transformed in 2005. The establishment is labeled "Museum of France", "Maison des Illustres" and belongs to the national federation of "Houses of writers".
Thanks to a pleasant and colorful scenography, the life and work of Descartes, father of modern philosophy, are presented in an accessible way for all audiences. It is also offered a historical and cultural panorama of the time (the Renaissance and the 17th century) of which Descartes, the author of the famous formula "I think therefore I am", was a major figure.
Open from early May to late October from Wednesday to Friday, as well as weekends in July and August. Price: 3 and 5 euros. Information on +33 2 47 59 79 19.
