European Heritage Days 2026

A whole weekend to celebrate the heritage of Les Arts Florissants and the village of Thiré (Vendée, Pays de la Loire), featuring a brand-new program!

Exhibition: “Thiré, a flourishing Village”

From agriculture to Baroque music, a century of life in a Vendée village… captured through the photo archives of its residents!

Collected from villagers in a digitization campaign conducted between 2021 and 2022 by the Les Arts Florissants Foundation—William Christie and the Thiré Town Hall, these photos have helped build a valuable archive to preserve the village’s history. 

For this exceptional exhibition, a selection of reproductions will be displayed alongside prints by contemporary photographer Lionel Hug, a local resident of Thiré and a lover of the area. This combination highlights the harmony that can exist between past and present, as well as the need to preserve a rural heritage consisting of much more than just stones. 

September 19 & 20, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Maison de la Fontaine (see the map of the Quartier des Artistes below)

Exhibition: “Baroque Opera: Through the Lens of Photographer Michel Szabo”

A passionate artist, stage photographer Michel Szabo has documented a whole chapter in the history of Les Arts Florissants through his lens. 

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and even into the early 2000s, he chronicled the greatest moments of Les Arts Florissants’ journey—from opera productions on international tours to the biggest stages and rehearsal halls. The result is a striking photographic record that traces the meteoric rise of the project initiated by William Christie to revive music from the past and make it resonate around the world. 

Upon his passing, Michel Szabo bequeathed thousands of photograph negatives and prints to Les Arts Florissants. Once digitized, this collection formed the basis of the ensemble’s photographic archive. It now represents an exceptional collection for the history of the performing arts.

By showcasing some of these photographs, this exhibition pays tribute to a great photographer—and invites visitors to see opera through his unparalleled perspective.    

September 19 & 20, 2026 – 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Salle de Bal (see the map of the Quartier des Artistes below)

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Gardening Workshop: Dahlias

Come learn the gardening techniques used in Willam Christie's Gardens!

This first hands-on workshop of the new school year will kick off the Gardens’ new educational program, which will continue throughout the seasons from September through June.

Ages 12 and up.
Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes

Registration required (link coming soon)

September 19, 2026 – 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: the Gardens’ entrance (see the map of the Artists’ Quarter below)

Visit William Christie's Gardens

William Christie's Gardens welcome you throughout the European Heritage Days weekend!

Especially for this occasion, guided tours will be offered at no additional charge to visitors with an admission ticket to the Gardens.

Garden Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Guided Tours: September 19 and 20 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Jardins de William Christie - Jardins du Bâtiment (see the map of the Artists’ Quarter below)