The Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil is hosting the 6th International Festival of large-format plein-air painting, opening its doors to a group of "plein-air painters" who, in the tradition of the Impressionists, paint nature as they see it.

Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, a long history

Ainay le Vieil, a 13th-century fortified castle with towers, moat, guardhouse, sentry walk... In the courtyard, two dwellings, the 13th-century one and a graceful late-15th-century residence combining flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Purchased in 1467 by our ancestors the Chevenon de Bigny family, the château never left the family.

Gardens as a reading of garden history

In the landscaped park with its century-old trees surrounding the château, the gardens offer a beautiful contrast between the long perspectives on the water of the Renaissance canals and the enclosed gardens (Hortus conclusus) of the Carthusian monasteries. They guide us on a veritable promenade through the art of gardens: the rose garden with its two Renaissance Pavilions, the Carré en l'île with its palisade-trimmed hornbeams, and the five chartreuses, each with its own themed garden: the mixed-border, the sculpted orchard, the meditation garden, the cloister of simples and the parterres de broderies.

Water at Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, like a common thread

This unique location is known for the omnipresence of water. Used for defense, as when surrounding the Château, it is for enjoyment when it flows around the gardens to form the Grand Carré de l’île, due to a sensible canal system and becomes useful when, through a series of weirs and spillways, it powers the mill and the wash-house.

The 6th International Open-Air Painting Festival

It is in this wonderful setting that we welcome this year's 6^th International Festival of Large-format Outdoor Painting. This traveling international art event brings together internationally renowned plein-air painters, and also enables local artists to take part in plein-air painting sessions alongside them.

For five days, artists can set up in the park or gardens and paint their surroundings as the Impressionists did in their day.

For the duration of the festival, the works created on site will be exhibited in our Musée d'Art et Traditions Populaires. Master classes, public portraits, demonstrations, exchanges and other activities will punctuate the festival.

The Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil thus pursues its ambition to be a place of exchange and sharing. A living place that enables it to follow its vocation of living and sharing heritage.

Registration http://www.festival-cultures-croisees.eu

To find out more, visit the dedicated page

Open-air painting festival at Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil

Consult the file