European Heritage Days 2024

On the occasion of the 2024 European Heritage Days, the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie invites you to discover an essential aspect of garden life: the work of honeybees!

To pay tribute to these tireless and necessary workers of our natural heritage, join us on September 21 and 22 for a series of open-air activities in the heart of the village of Thiré: an educational vegetable garden focusing on melliferous plants, exhibitions, themed tours of the Gardens of William Christie and the parks of Thiré, honey tasting and sales... plenty to learn and enjoy, alone or with the family.  

Program:

Guided tours of William Christie's Gardens

Exceptionally for the European Heritage Days, the gardeners of William Christie's Gardens will lead guided tours.

Access: Les Jardins du Bâtiment (William Christie's Gardens) - 32 rue du Bâtiment 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Entrance fee: 5€ (free for children under 12), payment in cash only 
Guided tour times: 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

Discovery trail of the Gardens and the Quartier des Artistes

During these two days, visitors will have the opportunity to discover William Christie's Gardens, Thiré's landscaped parks and the Quartier des Artistes, the international artistic campus of Les Arts Florissants, from an original angle. Explanatory panels along the itinerary (1.5 to 2km long, approx. 1 hour's walk), created in partnership with the local association “Histoire et Patrimoine du Pays de Sainte-Hermine”, will invite everyone to learn more about bees and the vegetation of the Vendée, as well as the village's history and cultural heritage.

Departure from the Jardins de William Christie (also accessible from the Quartier des Artistes): 10:30am-6pm

The Honey Plant Garden

Gardener and botanist Baptiste Pierre presents a new educational kitchen garden in Thiré, dedicated to honey-bearing plants. Conceived as a place to discover the flora at the heart of the bees' work, this ephemeral landscape creation is set in the heart of the village and of the Quartier des Artistes. Baptiste Pierre will offer guided tours... open to all!

Access: Maison de la Fontaine - 4 rue du Bâtiment 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours and tours: 2 - 6 pm 
Free admission

Photo exhibition: Inside flowers and the beehive

A lover of Baroque music and gardens, photographer Gilles Claverolas has been keeping abreast of Les Arts Florissants' musical activities for many years, both in concert halls and at the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie. But he also has another passion: beekeeping... 
For the 2024 edition of the Journées européennes du Patrimoine, the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie has invited him to combine his two passions at an exhibition in the Quartier des Artistes, where he will present a selection of his photographs on the theme of flowers and bees. An opportunity to see a lesser-known facet of William Christie's gardens, at bee height! 

Access: La Salle de Bal - 8 rue de la Fontaine 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours: 10h30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Free admission

Honey discovery workshop

Beekeeper Barret McDermid, several of whose hives have been installed in the Jardins de William Christie (to produce “William Christie's Garden Honey”), invites visitors to discover the work of beekeepers, as well as the different honeys of the region, during a tasting and discussion session! 

Access: Entrance to the Jardins du Bâtiment - 32 rue du Bâtiment 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours: 10h30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Free admission
On-site honey sale

Costumes exhibition

Showcase of a dozen Baroque-inspired stage costumes, drawn from the collection donated in 2023 by costume designer Mary B. Desvergne to the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie.  

Access: La Grange - Impasse de l’Église 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours: 10h30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Free admission

Other features...

The Garden Café 

For the European Heritage Days, the Garden Café (the catering venue for the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie) will reopen its doors to the public, offering refreshments, snacks and light meals in the village.

Access: Maison de la Fontaine - 4 rue du Bâtiment 85210 Thiré 
Opening hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
Free admission

The Arts Flo Boutique

The boutique of the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie offers CDs, DVDs, books, stationery, artisanal products from William Christie's gardens, fashion & accessories, gift ideas... 

Access: Entrance to the Jardins du Bâtiment - 32 rue du Bâtiment 85210 Thiré
Opening hours: 10h30 a.m. - 6 p.m.