Fondation Mansart

Fondation Mansart, officially known as Fondation Mansart - Parcs et demeures de France, is a French foundation recognised as being of public utility (reconnue d'utilité publique). Its mission is to conserve and promote French heritage. It was created in 2005, building on the earlier Fondation du château de Maintenon established in 1983 by Geneviève de Noailles and Jean Raindre, who donated the Château de Maintenon estate, its furniture and archives. A decree by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, confirmed by an arrêté of the Minister of the Interior on 8 December 2009, granted the foundation public-utility status and the role of an umbrella foundation (fondation abritante), at which point it took the name Fondation Mansart - Parcs et demeures de France. The foundation directly manages three emblematic French heritage sites: the Château de Maintenon in Eure-et-Loir, and in Paris the Château de Bagatelle and the Villa Windsor. It also acts as an umbrella foundation hosting eight other foundations, including the Fondation du château de Bagatelle, Fondation Les Amis du Centre Pompidou, Fondation Les Amis du musée d'art moderne de Paris, Fondation Amici Terrae Sanctae, Fondation Union Rempart, Fondation des Sites Vauban de Belle-Ile-en-Mer et du Morbihan, Fondation pour la préservation de l'abbaye des Vaux de Cernay et de la Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, and Fondation Hortus Botanica. On its various heritage sites, the foundation manages an important collection of archives and art objects, which are presented each year to a broad public. Its national-interest commitment to the common good is recognised by the State, with the mission to preserve and bring to life heritage of great interest, whether natural, historical or contemporary. The foundation relies on donations and public support to protect and care for these singular places and their environment. Its presidents have included Gilles Guitton (2006-2019) and, since 2019, Albéric de Montgolfier, senator for Eure-et-Loir. The foundation is currently preparing the first opening of the Villa Windsor to the general public.

The origins of Fondation Mansart lie in the Fondation du château de Maintenon, created in 1983 by Geneviève de Noailles and Jean Raindre. The couple donated the Château de Maintenon estate, which Geneviève de Noailles had inherited from the Dukes of Noailles, along with its furniture and archives. The foundation's purpose was to ensure the site's long-term survival and its opening to the widest possible public. A decree by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, confirmed by an arrêté of the Minister of the Interior on 8 December 2009, granted the Fondation du château de Maintenon the status of a foundation recognised as being of public utility and of an umbrella foundation (fondation abritante). It then took the name Fondation Mansart - Parcs et demeures de France. The foundation was formally created in 2005 according to Wikipedia, with the 2009 decree confirming its expanded role. The foundation's presidents have included Gilles Guitton, president of the GIE Cartes Bancaires, from 2006 to 2019, and since 2019 Albéric de Montgolfier, senator for Eure-et-Loir since 2008 and former president of the Eure-et-Loir departmental council from 2001 to 2017. Today the foundation is responsible for three emblematic French heritage sites: the Château de Maintenon in Eure-et-Loir, and in Paris the Château de Bagatelle and the Villa Windsor. It also hosts eight umbrella foundations: Fondation du château de Bagatelle; Fondation Les Amis du Centre Pompidou; Fondation Les Amis du musée d'art moderne de Paris; Fondation Amici Terrae Sanctae; Fondation Union Rempart; Fondation des Sites Vauban de Belle-Ile-en-Mer et du Morbihan; Fondation pour la préservation de l'abbaye des Vaux de Cernay et de la Haute Vallée de Chevreuse; and Fondation Hortus Botanica. On its various heritage sites, the foundation manages an important collection of archives and art objects, presented each year to a broad public. Its national-interest commitment to the common good is recognised by the State, with the mission to preserve and bring to life heritage of great interest, whether natural, historical or contemporary. The foundation relies on donations and public support. It is currently preparing the first opening of the Villa Windsor to the general public.

• 2026

  Foundation prepares the first opening of the Villa Windsor to the general public; European Heritage Days at Bagatelle and Villa Windsor.

• 2019

  Albéric de Montgolfier becomes president.

• 2009

  Decree by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, confirmed by the Minister of the Interior on 8 December 2009, grants public-utility status and umbrella foundation role; renamed Fondation Mansart - Parcs et demeures de France.

• 2006

  Gilles Guitton becomes president (until 2019).

• 2005

  Fondation Mansart is created (per Wikipedia).

• 1983

  Geneviève de Noailles and Jean Raindre create the Fondation du château de Maintenon and donate the estate, furniture and archives.

A public-interest heritage foundation conserving and promoting French parks and historic residences, acting as an umbrella foundation for other heritage foundations.

• Château de Maintenon

  A historic château in Eure-et-Loir, donated to the foundation in 1983 along with its furniture and archives.

• Château de Bagatelle

  A Paris heritage site managed by the foundation, also home to the Fondation du château de Bagatelle.

• Villa Windsor

  A Paris residence in the Bois de Boulogne, formerly occupied by General de Gaulle, Sultan Mohammed V and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; managed and restored by the foundation, preparing its first public opening.

1. 1Fondation Mansart. Conserver et valoriser le patrimoine français.fondationmansart.fr
2. 2Les Grands dossiers de l’Histoire : la Villa Windsor à l’honneurfondationmansart.fr
3. 3Fondation Mansartwikidata.org
4. 4Fondation Mansartfr.wikipedia.org