Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué dans les Pyrénées (1864-1870). Mondanités et folklore à l’ombre de la « querelle du Barzaz-Breiz »

Between 1864 and 1870, Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué, renowned for his collection of Breton folk songs Barzaz-Breiz, spent significant time in the Pyrénées - Mont Perdu region, primarily at Eaux-Bonnes and Pau. His stays were marked by both personal hardship—accompanying his ailing wife—and intellectual engagement, particularly during the contentious 'querelle du Barzaz-Breiz,' which questioned the authenticity of his work. La Villemarqué found support in Pau from figures like Lorrain Puymaigre, with whom he shared an interest in folk poetry. Their collaboration extended to fieldwork, including the collection of songs from the Ossau Valley, offering a unique intersection of personal narrative and cultural preservation. This period underscores La Villemarqué's role not only as a collector but also as an active participant in the scholarly debates of his time.

Postic, F. (2023). Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué dans les Pyrénées (1864-1870). Mondanités et folklore à l’ombre de la « querelle du Barzaz-Breiz ». Viatica, 10. https://doi.org/10.52497/viatica2496