Who Was Guillaume Apollinaire?
Château La Tour Apollinaire is more than just a name. It is a source of pride. Our mysterious charm is inspired by one of France’s greatest poets:
Apollinaire. Born in Rome to a Polish mother of minor nobility and a father whose identity remains unknown, Apollinaire’s early life is shrouded in mystery. It was in adulthood that he emerged as the brilliant poet, novelist, critic and friend for which he is remembered today.
Drawing inspiration from his fifth given name, Apollinaire invoked Apollo, the god of poetry, in his work, pushing the visual and literary boundaries of his time by developing and popularising the calligramme, or calligram. Among his most famous works are The Stabbed Dove and the Fountain and The Necktie and the Watch.
Guillaume Apollinaire and Art
Apollinaire moved within the circles of some of the greatest artists of his era, including Picasso, Braque and De Chirico. Together, they redefined the boundaries of art, with Apollinaire coining the term “Surrealism” while his friends developed the artistic movement itself. However, such brilliant minds were inevitably drawn to mischief, and Apollinaire and Picasso were even suspected of conspiring to steal the Mona Lisa in 1911.
The Death of Guillaume Apollinaire
Having enlisted as a soldier during the First World War, Apollinaire’s fate was eerily foreshadowed by his friend De Chirico in the Premonitory Portrait of Guillaume Apollinaire, painted in 1914. Its dark tones, penetrating gaze and ominous silhouette symbolise the depth and accuracy of Apollinaire’s criticism, which remains strikingly relevant today.
Yet it was the head wound depicted in the painting that brought an end to his military career two years later, and he died shortly afterwards, in 1918.
Château La Tour Apollinaire
As a major figure in French literature, Apollinaire deserves to be honoured. Château La Tour Apollinaire keeps his memory alive not only through its name, but also through its architectural boldness, blending postmodern details with classical French and Catalan influences, through the mystery that surrounds it in its enchanting gardens that invite exploration, and through the spirit of friendship embodied by its exceptional team.