Tag Archive for: Heritage
Students from the Montpellier Artistic Project (MAP) association invite you to join them in analyzing a scene from Godard’s film *Contempt* during the special exhibition by artist Sylvain Fraysse at the Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. We met with them to discuss this unique project.
How did this project come about?
The“Camille” project was launched in 2022, born out of a desire among members of the Montpellier Artistic Project to introduce students at the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine to new art forms. The MAP’s 2021–2022 executive board reached out to the Regional Contemporary Art Fund (FRAC) with the aim of creating a joint project, and this led to a collaboration with Sylvain Fraysse, a visual artist, and Céline Mélissent, who is in charge of public engagement and the promotion of the FRAC’s collection.
What does this artistic experience entail for visitors?
The exhibition is a sensory experience of light and sound based on Jean-Luc Godard’s film *Contempt *. The artist uses the Dissection Room in the Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine to “dissect” a scene from the film. In this iconic scene, the director lists the parts of Camille’s body—one of the main characters, played by Brigitte Bardot—in the manner of a dissection. Sylvain Fraysse recreates the scene’s color filters using gelatin sheets on the dissection room’s windows and also splits the film’s original soundtrack into 24 frequencies. In this way, he dissects the very essence of the scene.
What exactly is MAP?
The “Montpellier Artistic Project” is a nonprofit organization under the French Law of 1901, founded in August 2020 by three medical students who wanted to organize artistic activities within the faculty.
Over the past three years, the MAP board has expanded, and we now offer a variety of workshops and activities across our four areas of focus: Applied Arts, Public Speaking, Literary Arts, and Culinary Arts. To this end, we provide materials and introductory sessions for various artistic practices, and we also organize art contests on our social media platforms, as well as a public speaking contest each semester.
You can find us through our mascot, a chameleon named Léon Art, on Facebook and on our Instagram account.
Why is this project important to you?
It is important to us because it allows us to bring the Faculty’s historic building to life by opening a room that has never before been open to the public, and thus gives the association a new boost by taking us beyond our usual workshops. We’ve learned a great deal from this project, and we hope students and visitors will enjoy it. Furthermore, we’re very proud to be part of Montpellier’s bid to become the 2028 Capital of Culture and to be able to contribute to the city’s cultural life. It’s a vibrant experience that brings students together.
What kind of support have you been able to gather?
We had the opportunity to work with Sylvain Fraysse and the FRAC through Céline Mélissent, who served as our primary point of contact during the development of this project. The project was selected to be part of Montpellier’s bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028, which allowed us to receive financial support for the exhibition. The TaM supported us by allowing us to install posters at select tram and bus stops throughout the metropolitan area to promote the exhibition.
We also received support from the University of Montpellier (UM) through the Student Initiative Solidarity Fund (FSDIE) and the UM Arts and Culture Department—notably Eléonore Szturemski—as well as from the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. We would like to extend a special thank you to Dean Isabelle Laffont and Professor Gérald Chanques for their support and logistical assistance.
Practical Information About the Exhibition
Historic Building of the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine
2 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
34000 Montpellier
Exhibition open to the public from March 22 to April 18:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Students participating in the guided tours during these open house days, on a self-guided tour.
On Tuesdays, guided tours will be led by students in the master’s program in cultural mediation at the Faculty of Education in Montpellier.
- Tuesday, March 28, and April 4 and 11 at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Additional mediation sessions offered by association members will be announced at a later date on the event’s Facebook page.
The 18th edition of Primavera will take place on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier. Exhibitions, lectures, and a sale of rare plants will be held there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1. A golden opportunity to acquire an exceptional plant
Primavera’s sale of rare plants is sure to delight botany enthusiasts and hobby gardeners alike. Just imagine: being able to admire a little piece of the Jardin des Plantes in your living room or garden every day. Green will be this spring’s top decor trend!
2. A Day of Learning
The 3 talks you won't want to miss:
- 2:30 p.m.: “Plant Nomenclature: From Pre-Linnaean Authors to the Shenzhen Code” by Pierre COULOT, pharmacist and biologist, founder and
president of the Botanical Society of Occitanie, and specialist in the Fabaceae family. - 3:30 p.m.: “The Mysteries of the Labyrinth” by Andrée LAFON. Passionate about literature, theater, and psychoanalysis, she has written several books
that place a strong emphasis on depth psychology. - 4:30 p.m.: “The Restoration Project for Pierre Richer de Belleval’s Intendance and Its Maze” by Professor Thierry LAVABRE-BERTRAND, Director of the Jardin des Plantes.
3. A blend of art and nature
Anne Tassin, a ceramic artist, invites you to visit her exhibition, “Inspiration végétale”
4. Come see the recently renovated Rabelais monument!
Sculpted by Jacques Villeneuve, the monument—dedicated to Rabelais and the pleasures of life—was unveiled on November 6, 1921, by President Alexandre Millerand. The monument was a gift from the students as part of the celebration marking the 700th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine, where Rabelais studied in 1530.
The University of Montpellier, the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine, and the Montpellier Jardin des Plantes Corporate Foundation contributed to the restoration of this monument.
5. It’s spring!
Who doesn’t love strolling through the paths of the Jardin des Plantes in the spring? It’s the perfect time to see the garden’s lush flora come back to life after winter. Primavera is an excellent excuse—if one is needed—to discover or rediscover the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier.
Every five years, a new dean’s office team—composed of associate deans and program coordinators—is appointed by the dean to represent him or her in carrying out specific tasks. This year, Prof. Gérald Chanques was appointed Associate Dean for General Affairs, Heritage, and Campus Life. Read his interview here: learn about his background and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You were appointed by the Dean, Ms. Isabelle Laffont. Could you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
I earned my high school diploma and completed my undergraduate studies in Montpellier, so you could say I’m one-quarter Parisian and three-quarters Montpellier native. I loved my studies so much that it was difficult for me to choose a “specialty.” I chose anesthesiology and critical care for several reasons: first, because of the interdisciplinary nature of medical knowledge, but also because of the human and material resources available within our teams to provide safe care, including pain management and the treatment of the most critical situations.
How do you plan to balance your duties as associate dean with your other professional responsibilities?
This is a project that took shape within my hospital department, in collaboration with my colleagues and my department head, who has always supported and encouraged me throughout my professional career. My involvement at the faculty has grown gradually since my appointment 8 years ago. I continue to maintain a clinical practice that constantly enriches my teaching and research. Conversely, my understanding of academic institutions shapes all my responsibilities as a University Physician-Professor (PUPH). The Faculty and its unique history, as well as the University (I serve on the Committee on Education and University Life and on the disciplinary sections of the Academic Council), prompt me to reflect on every facet of my work—from patient care to teaching and innovation. The societal shift taking place in how we relate to one another—including the fight against inequality and against sexual and gender-based violence—represents a major turning point that our institutions have long anticipated.
What will your contributions and goals be? What projects do you hope to carry out in your role?
I gradually came to realize the importance of teaching and passing on knowledge to the younger generation, as well as the importance of having a faculty that draws on multiple campuses (Nîmes and Montpellier, modernity and heritage) and embodies a true university spirit—one that is meaningful to our patients, our students, and society alike. The Faculty has an urban history. It serves as a bridge to the general public.
Our faculty currently faces multiple challenges in terms of the institution’s organization, its campuses, and the promotion of its heritage: the university community—students, faculty, and administrative staff—must embrace this past and future history and share it with others—our colleagues in other parts of the University, our healthcare colleagues, and the general public. Among the general public are potential patients. The image we project of the faculty through our history and heritage must align with today’s demands—innovation, excellence in care, but also addressing vulnerability and access to care. All of this together defines our faculty, and we cannot rest easy unless we strive to address all these challenges. The unity of the leadership team, united around our dean, will be the strength of the institution—involving all its faculty and administration, those from previous teams, and those preparing future generations.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
My desire to contribute to a dean’s office initiative focused on community, kindness, and active listening, with ambitious goals for the institution. I was very grateful for this appointment because it allows me to consistently continue the work I’ve been doing for several years with Dean Mondain and Vice Dean Lavabre-Bertrand on complex projects (preparing state-region planning contracts for long-term renovations to the historic building; conducting studies for the learning center; and liaising with the general affairs departments of the Faculty and the University to develop a large number of projects involving institutions, local governments, and businesses as part of the 800th-anniversary celebrations…).
This year, as part of Heritage Days, La Mission Bern, in partnership with the Fondation pour le Patrimoine and the Française des Jeux, will present the Jardins des Plantes team with a check funded by the Loto du Patrimoine! In the afternoon, a program of free guided tours awaits visitors.
The Jardin des Plantes, Selected by the Heritage Lottery
As we learned last March, the Jardin des Plantes was selected by the Mission Patrimoine—a program entrusted to Stéphane Bern by the Ministry of Culture — along with 18 other French sites to receive support from the Loto du Patrimoine. In addition to providing significant national visibility, this program will give the Jardin des Plantes administration a much-needed boost for its renovation, with work expected to begin soon.
To celebrate this occasion, the Jardin des Plantes will welcome a delegation from Mission Patrimoine and La Française des Jeux as part of European Heritage Days. An awards ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, September 17, at the Jardin des Plantes. This ceremony, attended by Mr. Lloberes, FDJ Regional Director for the Southeast; Mr. Pradel, FDJ Area Manager for Hérault Nord Aveyron; and Mr. Genet, Regional Delegate for Occitanie-Méditerranée for the Fondation du Patrimoine, will announce the Mission’s support for the Intendance renovation project.
An afternoon filled with guided tours!
To celebrate Heritage Days, our teams of gardeners and teachers are offering—for once—several guided tours. These tours are free and do not require reservations; they are conducted in small groups of 15 to 20 people. Be sure to arrive a few minutes early to secure a spot. If the weather is nice, a bottle of water and a hat are highly recommended!
See the schedule for the day below.
Note: This year, the Historic Building will not be open to the public due to renovation work.
We've talked about it
- France 3 Occitanie: 2022 Heritage Lottery: The Montpellier Botanical Garden Administration Receives 470,000 euros
- La Gazette de Montpellier: Heritage Lottery: €470,000 to Renovate the Intendance at the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier
- Metropolitan Area: Montpellier. The Bern Mission presents a check for 470,000 € to the Jardin des Plantes
Every summer, the Jardin des Plantes organizes tours to help the general public learn more about our botanical garden. Check out the summer 2022 program.
Tours for all ages
Open to everyone, the Jardin des Plantes’ summer tours cover nine recurring themes: “Herbs and the Sensory Gardens,” “Medicinal Plant Collections,” “The Jardin des Plantes’ Plant Collections,” “The Martins Greenhouse and Its Succulent Collection,” “To Be or Not to Be a Botanical Garden—That Is the Question,” “Tours of the Permaculture Edible Garden,” “Aromatic Plants and Spices,” and “The Garden, Medicine, and Botany for 400 Years.”
Practical Information
ADDRESS
Henri IV Boulevard,
34000 Montpellier
On January 30, 2022, the France 3 program *Ô la belle vie* featured the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine in a special episode. Available for replay, you can learn about the history of this renowned center of learning, which dates back 800 years, and its latest news.
Join Professor Gérald Chanques and Sophie Jovillard as they take you on a tour to discover the treasures of our Faculty!
As part of the show *Ô la Belle Vie*, join Professor Gérald Chanques as he takes you on a journey to discover the inner workings of the world’s oldest medical school still in operation. Rabelais, Rondelet, and the school’s iconic locations will hold no more secrets for you. Blending art and technological innovation, the show will explore topics such as robotics and the work of ceramic artist Isabelle Doblas Coutaud, who depicts anatomy through her art. You’ll also have the chance to take a brief detour to the Jardin des Plantes with Cédric Matet, creator of the exhibition“L’Humain dans son Jardin.”
Ô la Belle Vie – Medicine in Montpellier: A True Art, produced by Grand Angle Production and France Télévisions.
Hosted by Sophie Jovillard. Aired on Sunday, January 30, 2022, and available for replay here.
As it does every year, the Faculty is hosting a series of fascinating and informative lectures organized by the Montpellier Society for the History of Medicine. Whether you’re a culture buff or a history enthusiast, these free, themed lectures are for you! See the program below.
2021-22 Season Schedule
To mark the 2021 European Heritage Days, the Faculty of Medicine’s Historic Building and Botanical Garden are opening their doors to the public for guided tours. Due to the current health situation, tours are available by advance reservation only. Find all the details in this article.
Updated on September 17, 2021:
Due to a prefectural decision related to the demonstrations planned in the city center, we are unfortunately forced to close the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier to the public on the afternoon of Saturday, September 18, 2021.
As a result, the tours scheduled for Saturday afternoon have been canceled. However, the tours scheduled for the morning will go ahead as planned.
We are truly sorry about this situation and thank you for your understanding.
Saturday, September 18: (Re)discover the Jardin des Plantes!
Start your weekend of culture and heritage with a visit to the Jardin des Plantes! On the agenda: explore the garden through various themes, guided by our passionate staff. Take this opportunity to rediscover the exhibition “L’Humain dans son Jardin” through guided tours led by photographer Cédric Matet! Learn more about the exhibition.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Due to the current health situation, tours are available by advance reservation only. You will also need to show your health pass to participate in the tours. To make a reservation, click below!
Meet at the entrance to Boulevard Henri IV (next to the French Red Cross)
The garden opens at 10 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. “The Jardin des Plantes: Where Medicine and Botany Meet” by Prof. Lavabre-Bertrand
- 10:15 a.m. “Guided tour of the exhibition by the artist: ‘The Human in the Garden’” by photographer Cédric Matet
- 10:30 a.m. “Bees and Humans in 2021” by Jean-François Fauveau and Jean-Pierre Baudon
- 11:00 a.m. “The Martins Greenhouse and Its Collection of Succulents” By Emmanuel Spicq
- 11:15 a.m. “Guided tour of the exhibition by the artist: ‘The Human in the Garden’” by photographer Cédric Matet
- 11:30 a.m. “Bees and Humans in 2021” by Jean-François Fauveau and Jean-Pierre Baudon
- 1:30 p.m. “The Plant Collections of the Jardin des Plantes” by Didier Morisot
- 2:00 p.m. “Bees and Humans in 2021” by Jean-François Fauveau and Jean-Pierre Baudon
- 2:15 p.m. “Guided tour of the exhibition ‘L’Humain dans Jardin’ led by the artist” by photographer Cédric Matet
- 2:30 p.m. “Aromatic and Spice Plants of the Jardin des Plantes” by Prof. John De Vos
- 3:00 p.m. “Richer Mountain: Where History and Ecology Meet” by Denis Nespoulous
- 3:30 p.m. “Busts and Systematic Education” by Emmanuel Spicq
- 4:00 p.m. “The Plant Collections of the Jardin des Plantes” by Didier Morisot
- 4:30 p.m. “Bees and Humans in 2021” by Jean-François Fauveau and Jean-Pierre Baudon
- 5:00 p.m. “General tour of the garden” by Emmanuel Spicq
Please note that only the Jardin des Plantes will be open to the public as part of the guided tours on Saturday, September 18. The historic building will be open only on Sunday…
Sunday, September 19: Continue your cultural stroll with a tour of the historic faculty building!
After enjoying the garden’s picturesque paths, come back and visit us on Sunday, September 19, to explore the Faculty of Medicine in its historic building. Two unique tour routes, led by the faculty’s heritage experts, will be available:
- A first tour, focused on anatomy, will take you through the Amador Room, the former dissection room, as well as the Tekné Makré Rooms, which house the “Corps à Coeur” exhibition, entirely dedicated to the anatomical specimens preserved by the Faculty (please note that the conservatory is closed and therefore not accessible as part of this tour due to renovation work).
- A second tour will take you through the faculty’s ceremonial halls, from the Salle des Actes to the Salle du Conseil. Imagine yourself in the shoes of a candidate (a future doctor of medicine), ready to defend his thesis!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Due to the current health situation, tours are available by advance reservation only. You will also need to show your health pass to participate in the tours. To make a reservation, click below!
The University of Medicine of Montpellier is the oldest university 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 to 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.
