For the past 10 years, the Jardin des Plantes has been organizing summer tours to help the general public learn more about our botanical garden. Check out the summer 2021 program.
Tours for all ages
Open to everyone, the Jardin des Plantes’ summer tours cover a variety of themes:
- The medicinal plant collections at the Jardin des Plantes
- Richer Mountain: Where History and Ecology Meet
- The Martins Greenhouse and Its Collection of Succulents
- Tours of the Permaculture Edible Garden
- Herbs and the Senses
Practical Information
ADDRESS
Henri IV Boulevard,
34000 Montpellier
One hundred years ago, students from the Montpellier School of Medicine unveiled works of art in the Jardin des Plantes and its historic building to celebrate the 7th centennial. To recreate this symbolic gesture on the occasion of the 800th anniversary, a nonprofit organization was founded by current students in 2019.
The Founding of an Association
To carry out this project,the Association Carabine Montpelliéraine (ACM) and the Languedoc-Roussillon Interns’ Union (SIRL) have joined forces to createthe Association for a Historic Ceremony for Montpellier Medical Students (ACHEMM). The association consists of 19 members and is chaired by Allan Guilliey, a fourth-year medical student. The association’s goal is to bring the project to fruition, from concept to completion, including identifying the artists who will exhibit their works at the new Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus.
An event redesigned in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Originally, this exhibition was to be launched with a gala organized by ACHEMM students. Numerous European institutions were to be invited to the event in late 2020, and the association had the opportunity to address the COIMBRA Group conference, initially scheduled for June 2020. Founded in 1985, this group aims to bring together and promote excellence among European universities, with a view to sustaining their high standards of teaching, research, and academic mobility on an international level, while fostering unique cultural ties.
Unfortunately, due to health restrictions that have forced a rethinking of the event, an opening reception for the exhibition will take place in July 2021 to showcase the students’ work.
A colossal undertaking
To carry out this project, the students in the association had to invest a great deal of their time and energy. To exhibit meaningful works, the students issued a call for submissions to local artists. About twenty artists submitted their work; the students then selected thirteen of them based on which pieces seemed artistically most suited to the project.
Next, the association’s members had to approach local governments to secure funding to pay the artists. These institutions were invaluable in helping to bring this project to fruition.
Ultimately, a tremendous amount of organizational work was carried out over the course of these two years to showcase this exhibition and, through it, the history of the Faculty.
Transmission as a common thread
The theme of this exhibition is transmission. Indeed, in 2017, the 800-year-old Faculty expanded with a new, state-of-the-art campus: the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus. The works in this exhibition bridge the gap between these two sites, combining the classical with the modern, and realism with abstraction, to represent both places and, through them, both eras.
The centerpiece of this exhibition, created by Nicolas Daubanes, is, in fact, a DNA molecule—a reminder that, even though the Faculty is spread across different sites, all of these campuses share the same DNA and are part of its history.
Artists and Their Works
Visit the exhibition
Guided tours will be offered on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11, starting at 2:00 p.m. They will be conducted in accordance with public health guidelines. Registration is required:
The association would like to thank all of its partners (the DRAC, the FRAC, the Hérault Department, the Occitanie Region, Pumkin, the CROUS, the University of Montpellier, the Montpellier Metropolitan Area, and the City of Montpellier) for their support, as well as Professor Gérald CHANQUES and the faculty departments that worked to ensure the smooth running of this project.
In 2016 and 2018, Ms. Barjon and Ms. Blanc, daughters of former Dean Gaston Giraud, bequeathed their father’s archives to the University of Montpellier. Thanks to these archives, we are now able to present an exhibition on the evolution of the Faculty’s various buildings and sites since its 700th anniversary, commemorated in 1921.
An exhibition divided into several sections
This exhibition, organized by the University of Montpellier’s Archives Department (Sophie Dikoff, Antoine Redouly, and Gwendoline Perrault) in collaboration with Ms. Barjon and Professor Dedet—and with the special participation of Dean Jacques Bringer, Professor Daniel Jarry, and Mr. Serge Caminade—will focus on the evolution of the various buildings and sites that make up the Faculty: the Historic Building, the Institute of Biology, the extensions in Nîmes and on the northern site of Montpellier (the UPM and the Arnaud de Villeneuve campus building), and finally the Jardin des Plantes.
Dive into the archives
Thanks to donations from the family of former Dean Giraud, this exhibition features a wealth of photographs. You can admire photos of the old buildings and gain an appreciation of how their architecture has evolved over time. The exhibition also showcases other documents that shed light on the buildings’ development, such as architectural plans, handwritten letters, and postcards…
A large-scale project
To mark the occasion, we spoke with Sophie Dikoff, the archivist in charge of this exhibition, to learn how it was put together.
Could you tell us about your job?
My role as an archivist at the University of Montpellier is to assist all departments in managing their archives in accordance with current legislation governing public archives. I carry out this work in collaboration with the Hérault Departmental Archives, which provides scientific and technical oversight. Archives serve as a record of changes—whether architectural, societal, or otherwise…
Where do the archival materials in this exhibition come from?
Most of these items come from donations by Dean Giraud’s family. Indeed, the dean kept many documents related to his various projects—both in his capacity as dean of the Montpellier School of Medicine and in his personal capacity, as someone with a passion for the history of medicine and the Montpellier School of Medicine. The remaining archival materials come from the University’s image collection, the University’s photo library, and the photo library of the Conference of University Presidents, which were supplemented by photographs taken specifically for the exhibition.
How long did it take you to prepare this exhibition?
The exhibition was originally scheduled to take place in October 2020, but due to health restrictions, we had to postpone it. So I’ve been working on this project since around the beginning of 2020. The process is very time-consuming, as it first requires conducting research to understand the various aspects of the subject (searching archives, reading, meeting with subject matter experts), selecting the most interesting documents, obtaining permission to use photos in accordance with copyright laws, writing texts, and determining a visitor route. For the exhibition design, we enlisted the help of a professional exhibition designer, André Dumonnet. For this exhibition, the approach was to organize the presentation by building and then in chronological order. One panel presents a timeline covering all buildings and sites combined.
An exhibition open to everyone
The exhibition, which will run from June 18, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. to July 21, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., is free of charge. Self-guided tours will be available Wednesday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with guided tours on Saturdays from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
"The Avicenne Multidisciplinary University Health Center (MSPU) was inaugurated in Cabestany, near Perpignan, in 2018. In June 2021, two additional MSPUs were added to this regional network. To mark this opening, a formal ceremony was held on Thursday, May 27 to review the Cabestany MSPU and present the plans for the two new MSPUs.”
MSPU: What Is It?
A Multidisciplinary Health Center is a multiprofessional health center that has entered into an agreement with the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and a university with a medical program to promote training and research in primary care.
Avicenne's MSPU: A Successful Outcome
This MSPU, led by Dr. Mark OUDE ENGBERIK and comprising some 30 healthcare professionals from various fields, has carried out several projects over the past five years. Two major projects were discussed at this conference:
- The TSAPPproject, which aims to train healthcare professionals on access to care for people with disabilities.
- The SPES (Primary Care, Environment, and Health) project, which aims to promote health and environmental awareness among professionals and the general public.
In terms of academic programs, this MSPU has 16 clinical instructors in various fields of health care and accepts 6 to 10 interns each year.
Two new MSPUs in the region
Following the success of the projects carried out by the Avicenne MSPU, two additional centers were opened in the region to meet local needs in this area.
A joint project is taking shape around these three MSPUs: to build a research network and make the service accessible to local residents.
Following the HAS’s approval of the initial prescription of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in private practice, the University Departments of General Medicine in Toulouse and Montpellier, along with COREVIH Occitanie (Regional Coordination Committee for the Fight Against STIs and HIV), are hosting an online themed evening on HIV prevention—specifically through PrEP—STIs, and addiction issues related to sexual health.
Webinar Agenda
The webinar will take place on Monday, June 14, at 8:00 p.m. It is intended for general practitioners practicing in the Occitanie region.
The moderators for this event will be Julie Dupouy (MCUPH, DUMG Toulouse), Beatrice Lognos (MCUPH, DUMG Montpellier), and Marie Bistoquet (COREVIH Physician).
The celebration of our Faculty’s 800th anniversary continues with a new, fun-filled event! Join the team at the Manoir du Crime on Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6, for unforgettable evenings full of thrills…
A Full-Scale Investigation
This historic building will be the setting for a life-size game. Fans of Cluedo and mystery shows, put on your best detective outfit to solve the mysteries of theTroupe du Manoir!
The year is 1806. Gabriel Prunelle is traveling the roads of the Empire, gathering a large collection of books to build a one-of-a-kind library.
But meanwhile, in Montpellier, something sinister is brewing at the university. One of the books acquired by Mr. Prunelle is at the center of a macabre discovery.
Will you be able to get to the bottom of this story?
This “Soirée du Crime” marks the return of the Manoir du Crime Association after several months of anticipation.
And the Manoir Troupe is celebrating its return in partnership with the University of Montpellier and the School of Medicine.
To mark the faculty’s 800th anniversary, we are once again delighted to welcome you to the prestigious setting of the anatomy amphitheater in the historic building located across from the Jardin des Plantes.
A demonstration in compliance with public health guidelines
We want to ensure you have a wonderful evening in an incredible setting while adhering to health guidelines, so here are the rules to follow:
– Masks are required for everyone, including members of the Troupe.
– Hand sanitizer will be available. Please feel free to use it.
– Teams of 6 players will be formed to comply with the current “Rule of 6”
– Teams will be spread out throughout the auditorium to ensure social distancing
– The evening’s “assistants” (members of the Troupe du Manoir) will wear gloves when handing out event materials.
– Part of the evening will take place outdoors, in the main courtyard.
An event requiring registration
Two sessions are offered:
- Saturday June 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday June 6, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Flat rate: €20
The Montpellier University of Medicine is the oldest university-level medical school in the world. It celebrated its 800th anniversary on August 17, 2020. To mark the occasion, a series of events was scheduled to take place throughout 2020. Due to the current health situation, these events had to be postponed until 2021. The 800th anniversary is being marked by numerous events that will take place through the end of the year. Among them are five scientific or academic conferences, which will be held either remotely or in person on the university campus.
Learn more about them below:
Check out the program for each event and registration details on the 800th Anniversary website.
Professor Jean-Pierre Dedet is a physician and microbiologist. He has been a professor emeritus at the University of Montpellier’s School of Medicine since 2010. Following the publication of his book *800 Years of Medical Education in Montpellier: The Oldest School of Medicine in the Western World,” published last year to mark the 800th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Dedet returns with his new book, “Epidemic: From the Black Death to COVID-19”*, which explores various epidemics throughout history.
The book:
Professor Dedet’s new book*, published by Dunod (EKHO series), has been available since April 2021.
This book recounts the history of the greatest epidemics, placing them in their broader scientific and historical context. It also offers us an opportunity to reflect on how epidemics arise and on the possibility of anticipating them. The book includes a foreword written by Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
An Interview with Jean-Pierre Dedet, Professor Emeritus at the Faculty and author of the book:
In this new book, you address the topic of epidemics. Why did you decide to tackle this subject?
This book is a reprint of an earlier work titled “Epidemics: From the Black Death to the A/H1N1 Flu,” published by Dunod in 2010. In light of the current health crisis, this older book has sparked renewed interest. Dunod Publishing then offered to republish the book and have me discuss the current epidemic, which I gladly accepted.
How is the topic of epidemics addressed in your book?
This book takes a two-pronged approach: first, to discussthe history of epidemics from a scientific perspective; and second, to highlight scientific advances in the field of epidemiology throughout history. But it also examines epidemics in historical context: What are the consequences of an epidemic on a human, sociological, economic, and cultural level, among others? What significance do past epidemics hold today? What factors contribute to the emergence of epidemics? How have they evolved throughout history? What is their current status?
Who is this book intended for?
This book is intended for the general public. Epidemics and their histories are explained in simple terms so that the book is accessible to all readers. The goal is to make the subject more accessible to the general public and to help readers gain a broader perspective on epidemics in general and COVID-19 in particular.
You asked Françoise Barré-Sinoussi to write the foreword. Why did you do that?
I worked for 20 years at the Pasteur Institute, which allowed me to meet many people in the field. I had already consulted Luc Montagnier for my book*Microbiology: From Its Origins to Emerging Diseases*, published in 2007. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi specializes in the AIDS epidemic, for which she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2008. So it seemed obvious to me to reach out to her. This book serves as a sort of bridge between my career at the Pasteur Institute and my time in Montpellier!
What are your plans for the future?
I am currently starting to write my next book, which will focus on vaccines and vaccination. This book will also be aimed at the general public.
*Professor Dedet's new book is available for €8.90 in bookstores and online.
MUSE, Montpellier University of Excellence, is organizing a contest for students to test their knowledge of the university.
The CONNECT competition runs from March 29 to April 9, 2021, and is open only to students who are members of the MUSE consortium during the 2020–2021 academic year.
Students must answer 10 multiple-choice questions on MUSE topics.
After completing this survey, students will have the chance to win one of the 100 prizes up for grabs:
- 15€500 gift cards for the Odysseum shopping center
- 20 €250 gift cards for the Odysseum shopping center
- 40 €100 gift cards for the Odysseum shopping center
- 25 Montpellier University of Excellence Sweatshirts
The drawing will take place between April 26 and 30, 2021.
Good luck, everyone!
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