The halls of the town of Lodève, in the Hérault, 50 km northwest of Montpellier, were built in 1819 on the site of the former parish church.
Protected as historical monuments, the building with the typical architecture of the halls of this era changed its vocation in the 1990s. The openings are now glazed and the site hosts a permanent exhibition of monumental works by the sculptor Paul Dardé (1888 -1963). The artist born in the vicinity of the city returned to settle there after having stayed in Paris.
One can admire "the Monumental Fireplace", made for the exhibition of decorative arts of 1925. Measuring 4 meters by 5, it weighs 40 tons, made of white stones from Lens. It evokes the origins of humanity and there is a grandmother narrating the tales of Perrault to his grandchildren. The work is complemented by a red copper curtain and a stone hearth of Volvic. At certain times, a mechanism raises the curtain of copper: the polychrome bas-reliefs of the hearth are then visible.
Other works by Paul Dardé are also housed in the halls: "Christ outrages" and a mold of "Neanderthal Man".
Information and evocations of the heritage of Lodève complete this original permanent exhibition.
Open every day. Free entry. Information on +33 4 67 88 86 44.
