Toulouse: the former administrator of the Pantheon at the bedside of the Saint-Michel prison
The former Saint-Michel prison is undergoing a major transformation. David Madec, former administrator of the Panthéon de Paris, intends to bring this place back to the forefront of the cultural scene.
Like a cumbersome and austere star, the Saint-Michel prison dominates the district. Its presence remains heavy in the memory of local residents who, before the opening of the Castelet to the public in 2020, had never had access to this building. Built between 1862 and 1870 by Jean-Jacques Esquiet, it is a real district within the district, for its dimensions. David Madec, former administrator of the Panthéon in Paris and, since June, curator of the monuments of Toulouse, is particularly fascinated by the fate of this structure: “The history of this monument closely touches the history of the city and of all Toulouse residents, but their memory work has just begun. A changing story, which has adapted to the waves of the 20th century. Admittedly, it was a remand center until 2009 but, during the Second World War, it was also a key place in Toulouse: prison in the service of the Gestapo, it saw the resistance fighters and the guerrillas being effectively in his courtyard and famous people to be enclosed between these walls: Alfred Nakache, Mélanie Volle, but also, believes David Madec, André Malraux: “Legend says that he would have escaped from the Saint-Michel prison, but it is yet to check! Today, the Castelet of the prison restores this memory to citizens, but much remains to be done. A bet on the future that David Madec welcomes with enthusiasm.
The man leading the challenge
Since his arrival in Toulouse, David Madec has rediscovered a peaceful and pleasant rhythm of life: “A real happiness”, for this Breton of origin. Former administrator of the Pantheon, David Madec is now responsible for managing the Carmelite chapel, the Saint-Sernin basilica, the memorial of glory and Resistance, the Saint-Joseph de la Grave chapel and the Castelet of the prison. Saint Michel. A difficult passage? David Madec does not believe it: “Toulouse is already a very beautiful city. The people of Toulouse do not produce enough of it. Afterwards, a cultural project is not judged by the reputation of the building, but by the quality of its proposal. His ultimate goal: “Bring the monuments to life: if no one visits them, they are useless. »
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Prison Saint-Michel: the Castelet is told for its first anniversary
A new life for the Saint-Michel prison?
Behind the Castelet, the prison remains dilapidated and abandoned. Last Thursday, the State, in conjunction with Toulouse Métropole, launched a call for ideas with a view to enhancing the site. “The project, can we read in the official press release, “will have to integrate a cultural and artistic vocation and take into account the Castelet. Proposals must be submitted no later than September 30, 2022.
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Toulouse: discover the restored interior of the former Saint-Michel prison