𝕄𝕦𝕤é𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕦𝕚𝕤 𝔻𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕣é

The Louis Derbré Museum was officially inaugurated on May 16, 2024 and welcomed the public two days after as a new cultural destination dedicated to art, sculpture, and the legacy of French artist Louis Derbré. Located in Celettes, a commune near Blois in France, the museum lies within an area celebrated for its cultural heritage, where visitors can discover this cultural site and explore the surrounding region. The museum also offers an opportunity to experience the area’s artistic character in a peaceful setting, making it a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in both sculpture and local history. Its opening gives local residents and travellers alike a place to encounter Derbré’s work and learn more about the artist’s contribution to French sculpture. Visitors may include the museum in a broader regional itinerary, combining time among the artworks with exploration of the historic towns, landscapes, and cultural attractions nearby. Whether drawn by a particular interest in sculpture or simply looking for a distinctive cultural experience, visitors can enjoy a thoughtful introduction to the artist and the place where art meets nature. A visit can also provide a moment to pause and reflect on the forms, materials, and ideas that shape Derbré’s artistic legacy. The museum's setting encourages visitors to take their time, appreciate the relationship between the works and their surroundings, and consider how sculpture can transform a space. For those planning a trip to Blois, the museum is a cultural attraction that can complement visits to the region’s historic architecture and natural scenery of the French countryside. Before travelling, visitors may wish to consult the museum’s official website for current opening times and practical information.

The museum welcomes curious visitors of varied backgrounds and and provides an engaging experience for art enthusiasts, curious travellers and anyone looking to learn more about the area's cultural heritage.

The museum was initially founded by François-Noël  and Catherine Desfemmes, who were patrons of the arts and admirers of the work of the sculptor Louis Derbré and in collaboration with Mireille Derbré the sculptor daughter. They assembled a collection of his sculptures since his death fifteen years ago. This collection has since been brought together with works donated to the Louis Derbré Endowment Fund and by Mireille. These generous contributions enabled the creation of the unique Louis Derbré Museum-Promenade in Cellettes and in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Visitors can explore Derbré’s sculptures in an environment designed to encourage contemplation. This allows them to observe the works from various angles and reflect on the dialogue between art, nature and the surrounding area. The strength of Derbré's work lies in its timelessness and spirituality with its qualities that give the collection its distinctive presence and invite a personal response from each visitor.

The unique Musée-promenade Louis Derbré at Château de Conon offers the public the finest works by one of the greatest French sculptors of the 20th century. A total of 150 sculptures are on display in the five-hectare park surrounding the 13th-century Château de Conon, creating an outdoor exhibition that brings together art, architecture, and nature. The particularity of this open-air museum lies in the monumental size of 50 sculptures by Louis Derbré, which can be admired in the park and woods of the château on a trail conducive to reverie and poetry. As visitors follow the paths, they can encounter the works from different perspectives and appreciate how their forms relate to the surrounding landscape. The setting encourages a leisurely visit, with opportunities to pause, reflect, and enjoy the contrast between the sculptures and the château’s historic grounds. This arrangement turns the walk itself into an essential part of the experience, allowing each sculpture to be seen in the context of its surroundings. The setting encourages a leisurely visit, with opportunities to pause, reflect, and enjoy the contrast between the sculptures and the château’s historic grounds. Together, the collection and its setting provide a memorable way to discover Derbré’s work and the expressive possibilities of monumental sculpture. Visitors can observe the balance, movement, and distinctive shapes of the sculptures, as well as the different impressions they create when viewed from near or far. The varied scale of the pieces invites visitors to notice details up close as well as the way larger forms command space across the grounds. The changing light, seasonal foliage, and the natural contours of the park can offer a different impression of the artworks throughout the year. A visit may therefore feel different each time, as shifts in weather and landscape reveal new details and relationships between the pieces. The combination of an historic château, wooded paths, and a substantial sculpture collection makes the visit feel like a cultural walk as much as a museum experience. It offers an inviting opportunity to explore at an unhurried pace, whether discovering the sculptures individually or taking in the park as a whole. The setting encourages a leisurely visit, with opportunities to pause, reflect, and enjoy the contrast between the sculptures and the château’s historic grounds. Taking time to explore at an unhurried pace helps reveal the many relationships between the sculptures, the architecture, and the surrounding environment.