In the heart of the Morvan region, Château Chinon is welcoming an important new cultural destination. The François Mitterrand Museum of Gifts will reopen with a fully redesigned visitor experience bringing together two emblematic institutions: the Museum of Presidential Gifts and the Fashion Museum.
Forty five years after François Mitterrand’s election to the Presidency of the French Republic, this place of memory offers a sensitive and immersive journey through French political, artistic and cultural history.
An ambitious heritage project dedicated to cultural transmission
Led by the Departmental Council of Nièvre, this major project was born from a long standing ambition to unite the collections of the Septennat Museum and the Costume Museum within a modern and coherent cultural venue. Following an architectural competition won by Patrick Mauger in 2014, several years of renovation and construction transformed the site.
Spanning nearly 2,000 square metres, the Museum of Gifts now offers visitors a seamless journey through historic buildings, newly designed reception areas and landscaped gardens. With a total investment of €17 million and close to 10,000 preserved objects, the venue has established itself as a significant cultural destination within the region.
Two museums telling one shared story
The Museum of Presidential Gifts traces its origins to the donation made by François Mitterrand in 1986. Visitors can discover diplomatic gifts, artworks and objects originating from nearly 80 countries, reflecting ceremonial traditions and international relations during his two presidential terms.
Nearby, the Fashion Museum explores the evolution of clothing and social customs through an extensive collection of garments and accessories. Enriched notably by the donation of fashion designer Pascal Millet, the museum presents fashion as a living art form, with exhibitions regularly renewed to ensure the preservation of delicate textile works.
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A living legacy in the heart of the morvan
More than a museum complex, the Museum of Gifts embodies the desire to create a dialogue between memory and creativity. Located in the town where François Mitterrand served as mayor, it continues his vision of making Château Chinon a centre of cultural transmission and heritage influence, where the past continues to illuminate the present.
Visitor Information
Cité des Présents – François Mitterrand
6 Place Saint Christophe
58120 Château Chinon
France
Opening Hours
From 12 May to 30 September: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
From 1 October to 15 November: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission Fees
Standard admission: €9
Reduced admission: €6 for visitors aged 18 to 25, partners and teachers
Free admission: first Sunday of each month, visitors under 18, students under 25, people with disabilities, journalists and selected eligible categories
Guided tour supplement: €5
Further information on citedespresents.nievre.fr
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