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Cultural outings organized by the association in 2024
▪▪▪ Restoration of the Greek vases in the Antoine Vivenel Museum
Tuesday 3rd December 2024
This year, our association has made a financial commitment to the restoration of four Greek vases, which will be returned to the museum for the reopening of the fully renovated Mediterranean Antiquities room.
Meet Claire Gonnier, ceramics and glass restorer, in charge of restoring the Greek vases in Antoine Vivenel's collection.
at the Centre Antoine Vivenel
17 rue James de Rothschild (Parc de Songeons)
17 rue James de Rothschild (Parc de Songeons)
Claire Gonnier presented several stages of her work, documented with photos, and demonstrated filling and retouching on a vase. She answered many questions.
The visit, which is free of charge, has been organised especially for Friends.
▪▪▪ From pen to brush, two artists' houses
Thursday 14 November 2024
Port-Marly: guided tour of the Château de Monte-Cristo.
At the height of his fame after the success of "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas had a Renaissance-inspired château built on the hill of Port-Marly. The English-style park, with grottoes, rockeries and waterfalls, is also home to the neo-Gothic 'Château d'If', where the writer took refuge to work.
St-Germain-en-Laye: guided tour of the Maurice Denis departmental museum.
In 1914, the painter Maurice Denis bought a former seventeenth-century hospital to house his family and his studio. Named Le Prieuré, it was here that he created most of his work. Turned into a museum in 1976, it now houses a wide range of collections by the artists of the Nabis group, of which Maurice Denis was one of the initiators. At the crossroads of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Nabis (Hebrew for prophets), all influenced by the work of Gauguin, were part of the avant-garde, at the origins of modern art.
Around the museum, sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle dominate a vast terraced garden.
▪▪▪ A day in Thiérache
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache: guided tour of Saint-Michel Abbey.
Although the abbey was founded in the 10th century, the architecture of the abbey complex today ranges from the 12th century to the classical period, combining stone, brick and slate.
Murals depicting the life of Saint Benedict were recently discovered in the cloister. The church boasts a remarkable organ, a rare instrument typical of the time of Louis XIV. Offering ideal conditions for the performance of Baroque music, it takes pride of place every year during the festival devoted mainly to the voice and the organ on the abbey site.
Guided tour of the village of Parfondeval and its fortified church:
Classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Parfondeval is a typical Thiérache village.
The church of Saint-Médard is one of very many in the region, fortified in the 16th century to protect peasants from Spanish bands from the north. We'll find out more about this unique history, which gave religious buildings a defensive structure and a place of refuge
▪▪▪ Exhibition "So Greek!"
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Private tour of the exhibition.
Recently restored Greek vases from the collection of the Musée Antoine Vivenel are featured in this exhibition, which plunges visitors into the world of ancient Greece.
The iconography illustrates the daily lives of men and women, as well as the realm of gods and heroes, the importance of banquets, scenes of war and games, the origin of those celebrated this year in Paris.
La visite, gratuite, organisée spécialement pour les Amis, sera présentée par Sophie Cloart, commissaire de l’exposition.
En 2024 l’association s’est engagée financièrement dans la restauration de vases grecs qui retrouveront leur place au musée, pour la réouverture de la salle des Antiquités méditerranéennes, entièrement rénovée.
▪▪▪ A day at Versailles:
Tuesday 9 April 2024
The musical gardens and the Trianon estate.
Take a stroll from the château to the Grand Canal, through the formal gardens of the Château de Versailles. From ponds to groves, baroque music (Lully, Rameau, Charpentier...) will be the order of the day.
Guided tour of the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet.
The Grand Trianon, or Marble Trianon, was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Louis XIV liked to retire to this simple yet majestic country palace to escape the hustle and bustle of the Court.
The Petit Trianon, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, was intended for the private use of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. Louis XVI gave it to Marie-Antoinette, who made it her favourite residence, modelling it and the garden to her taste.
The Hameau de la Reine is a group of eleven houses in a rural setting. It was a refuge for Queen Marie-Antoinette, who wished to look after her children here.
Napoleon 1st refurbished and restored it to host major festivities.
Napoleon 1st refurbished and restored it to host major festivities.
▪▪▪ Know-how and memory of working life
Thursday 21 March 2024
Guided tour of the Maison du Textile in Fresnoy-le-Grand.
The former workshops of "La Filandière" have preserved 28 Jacquard looms, listed as Historic Monuments. A demonstration will be given by a former weaver. You'll also see looms used for machine embroidery.
The reconstruction of the interior of a weaver's house will evoke the era of home weaving. A loom that once belonged to Chanel is on display.
Visite guidée du Familistère de Guise
Visite libre du site: jardins d’agrément, appartement de J-B. A. Godin, théâtre (sous réserve), expositions permanentes et temporaires du pavillon central pour découvrir l’histoire sociale et économique du Familistère ou l’aventure d’un idéal.
Visite guidée du Familistère que Jean-Baptiste A. Godin a fait construire pour les familles des ouvriers de sa manufacture de poêles et cuisinières. Ce Palais Social est classé Monument Historique.
▪▪▪ Visit to the Prosper Mérimée exhibition at the Château de Compiègne
Monday 5 February 2024
Portrait by Mathilde Bonaparte (1869) / Drawing by Ferdinand Bac
Under the guidance of Marc Desti, General Curator of Heritage at the Château de Compiègne and curator of the exhibition, you will discover the rich personality of Prosper Mérimée: writer, academician, senator, acquaintance of the imperial court of Napoleon III, but also tireless inspector general of Historic Monuments.
As a pioneer in this field, we owe it to him to raise awareness of the importance of our historical heritage and its preservation.
Updated on February 3, 2026
Association of Friends of the Museums
Antoine Vivenel et de la Figurine
aMAVFH 2010-2026