In recent years, CEM founding chairman Jorge Chaminé, with help from his partners, has worked to preserve a unique historical heritage through three cultural projects essential to the Centre's raison d'être and vision.
The house of Georges Bizet is located in Bougival, on the banks of the river Seine, where "Carmen" - the world's most performed opera - was composed.
On June 21st, 2017, the Centre Européen de la Musique launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign, raising over 100,000 euros and then inspired the Yvelines Departmental Council to allocate a 1 million euros budget to save this historical site. Thanks to the CEM's tireless work, it has obtained a Heritage of Regional Significance certificate granted by the Ile-de-France authorities. The budget for restoration has been allocated and renovation work is currently in its planning phase. The house, once renovated, may serve to welcome three artists in residence every year, and will function in association with the Espace Carmen.
Just a few years ago, this iconic centre of Europe’s artistic and intellectual life in the 19th century was in a sorry state of disrepair.
The Centre Européen de Musique then worked to bring together private and public funding in order to save this significant Palladian villa. The budget for renovation has been estimated to 3,4 million euros and took multiple rounds to be fully raised.
After France’s first Heritage Lottery draw was held, the “Mission Stéphane Bern” allocated a 500,000 euros subsidy to the site, in partnership with the Fondation du Patrimoine and lottery operator La Française des Jeux.
Additional contributions from the Ministry of Culture (DRAC Ile-de-France), regional and local governments and the Total Foundation - up to 100,000 euros - made it possible to launch renovation, which is completed in 2023. Once fully renovated, the Villa will host artistic and literary events, concerts, masterclasses and conferences.
The first phase of the CEM project, which was therefore a success, was aimed in particular at safeguarding an endangered heritage in Bougival, a place where European culture shone in the 19th century. As a result, Georges Bizet's house was saved and the Villa Viardot restored. The second phase of the project began on 14 December 2023, when the Bougival Town Council unanimously passed a motion in support of the project to establish the CEM in Bougival, with the Villa Viardot now at the beating heart of a project currently being defined in conjunction with the town council, local authorities and the French government. The Villa Viardot is also working with local associations on programming: the Association des Amis d'Ivan Tourguéniev, Pauline Viardot et Maria Malibran and the Association des Amis de Georges Bizet, co-founded by Jorge Chaminé and Benita Carteron.
The Théâtre de Verdure at Domaine des Frênes and the Villa Viardot have hosted the Bougival festival since 2008.
With Jorge Chaminé as artistic director, the musical event has offered singing, piano and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, dance performances and symphonic concerts. The festival served as a setting for Europe Day in 2018.
The Théâtre de Verdure, with its outstanding acoustics and capacity to accommodate a large audience, will become one of the CEM’s major concert venues.
2013—2019
Concept development
Creation of the non-profit organization
Project development
Partnerships
Protection of heritage sites
First fundraising campaign
Work in progress
Set up and implementation
Project building blocks
Architectural statement
Construction project management
Business plan
Fundraising
Work in progress
Construction
Building the CEM
Programme development
Team
Work in progress
Opening
Academy first season
Visitors attending cultural activities
Tourism activities, economic and social development, cultural influence
Local, regional, international impact
Let the music play!
In recent years, CEM founding chairman Jorge Chaminé, with help from his partners, has worked to preserve a unique historical heritage through three cultural projects essential to the Centre's raison d'être and vision.
The house of Georges Bizet is located in Bougival, on the banks of the river Seine, where "Carmen" - the world's most performed opera - was composed.
On June 21st, 2017, the Centre Européen de la Musique launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign, raising over 100,000 euros and then inspired the Yvelines Departmental Council to allocate a 1 million euros budget to save this historical site. Thanks to the CEM's tireless work, it has obtained a Heritage of Regional Significance certificate granted by the Ile-de-France authorities. The budget for restoration has been allocated and renovation work is currently in its planning phase. The house, once renovated, may serve to welcome three artists in residence every year, and will function in association with the Espace Carmen.
Just a few years ago, this iconic centre of Europe’s artistic and intellectual life in the 19th century was in a sorry state of disrepair.
The Centre Européen de Musique then worked to bring together private and public funding in order to save this significant Palladian villa. The budget for renovation has been estimated to 3,4 million euros and took multiple rounds to be fully raised.
After France’s first Heritage Lottery draw was held, the “Mission Stéphane Bern” allocated a 500,000 euros subsidy to the site, in partnership with the Fondation du Patrimoine and lottery operator La Française des Jeux.
Additional contributions from the Ministry of Culture (DRAC Ile-de-France), regional and local governments and the Total Foundation - up to 100,000 euros - made it possible to launch renovation, which is completed in 2023. Once fully renovated, the Villa will host artistic and literary events, concerts, masterclasses and conferences.
The first phase of the CEM project, which was therefore a success, was aimed in particular at safeguarding an endangered heritage in Bougival, a place where European culture shone in the 19th century. As a result, Georges Bizet's house was saved and the Villa Viardot restored. The second phase of the project began on 14 December 2023, when the Bougival Town Council unanimously passed a motion in support of the project to establish the CEM in Bougival, with the Villa Viardot now at the beating heart of a project currently being defined in conjunction with the town council, local authorities and the French government. The Villa Viardot is also working with local associations on programming: the Association des Amis d'Ivan Tourguéniev, Pauline Viardot et Maria Malibran and the Association des Amis de Georges Bizet, co-founded by Jorge Chaminé and Benita Carteron.
The Théâtre de Verdure at Domaine des Frênes and the Villa Viardot have hosted the Bougival festival since 2008.
With Jorge Chaminé as artistic director, the musical event has offered singing, piano and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, dance performances and symphonic concerts. The festival served as a setting for Europe Day in 2018.
The Théâtre de Verdure, with its outstanding acoustics and capacity to accommodate a large audience, will become one of the CEM’s major concert venues.
2013—2019
Concept development
Creation of the non-profit organization
Project development
Partnerships
Protection of heritage sites
First fundraising campaign
Work in progress
Set up and implementation
Project building blocks
Architectural statement
Construction project management
Business plan
Fundraising
Work in progress
Construction
Building the CEM
Programme development
Team
Work in progress
Opening
Academy first season
Visitors attending cultural activities
Tourism activities, economic and social development, cultural influence
Local, regional, international impact
Let the music play!