La Demeure Historique

La Demeure Historique is a French national association founded in 1924 and recognized as being of public utility since 1965. It brings together owners and managers of private historic monuments and gardens, representing more than 3,000 monuments, nearly half of which are open to the public. The association is headquartered in the hôtel de Nesmond at 57 quai de la Tournelle in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Its stated missions are to train and inform, represent and protect, and support and anticipate. It operates through regional delegations and thematic networks, and publishes a quarterly magazine, La Demeure historique, as well as a garden supplement, Côté Jardins. The association also runs the Passeport des Demeures Historiques®, which offers access to over 400 heritage sites, and it was behind the creation in 2008 of the Fondation pour les Monuments Historiques, renamed Fondation Mérimée in 2021. In 2024 it celebrated its centenary.

La Demeure Historique was founded in 1924 by Joachim Carvallo, owner of the Château de Villandry, and Boni de Castellane. It was recognized as being of public utility in 1965. The association has been led by a series of presidents, many of whom are themselves owners of historic châteaux: Adrien Maurice de Noailles (1924–1952), Philippe de Luynes (1952–1972), Marc de Beauvau-Craon (1972–1982), Henri-François de Breteuil (1982–2001), Jean de Lambertye (2001–2019), and Olivier de Lorgeril (since 2019). In 2008, the association initiated the creation of the Fondation pour les Monuments Historiques, which was renamed Fondation Mérimée in 2021. In 2024, the association celebrated its centenary. As of 2023, it represents over 3,000 monuments, with nearly half open to the public, and operates through regional delegations and thematic networks such as the Audacieux du Patrimoine and a group for young and new owners.

• 2024

  Centenary celebrated.

• 2021

  Fondation pour les Monuments Historiques renamed Fondation Mérimée.

• 2019

  Olivier de Lorgeril becomes president.

• 2008

  Initiated creation of the Fondation pour les Monuments Historiques.

• 1966

  La Demeure historique magazine created.

• 1965

  Recognized as being of public utility.

• 1924

  Association founded by Joachim Carvallo and Boni de Castellane.

National association representing private owners of historic monuments and gardens in France.

• La Demeure historique magazine

  Quarterly magazine (ISSN 0998-5956) created in 1966, 80 pages, focused on operational support for owners.

• Côté Jardins supplement

  Annual 80-page supplement published in May, dedicated to gardens.

• Passeport des Demeures Historiques®

  Offers access to over 400 heritage sites in metropolitan and overseas France.

1. 1La Demeure Historique - La Demeure Historiquedemeure-historique.org
2. 2La Demeure historique - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
3. 3La Demeure Historique - Wikidatawikidata.org