Contribute to stewardship
The University of Montpellier and the Fondation du Jardin des Plantes are launching a major crowdfunding campaign for the restoration of theintendance in the heart of the Jardin des Plantes. Individuals, students, shopkeepers, native Montpellier residents, those with a passion for Montpellier or those just passing through, contribute to making this buildingwhose history dates back to the 16th century, a new space for sharing knowledge and conviviality in one of the city's most beautiful settings!
Stroll through the forest school, admire the succulents in the Martins greenhouse, listen to the frogs singing in the lotus pond or read in the shade of the cypress trees in the main alley in the company of a shy cat... Montpellier residents of all generations are well acquainted with the pleasures of this special place: the Jardin des Plantes. Many dream of one day being able to enjoy a cup of coffee, admire an exhibition or listen to a lecture. Thanks to everyone's participation, this dream will soon be a reality.
An endowment fund open to all
The University of Montpellier, owner of the premises, and the Jardin des Plantes corporate foundation, which has already contributed to the renovation of the orangery and the systematic school in 2017, are this time launching an endowment fund for the renovation of the Intendance building. "We 're asking them to help us, within their means of course, but to help us, because restoring the Jardin des Plantes means restoring a heritage that we all share ". Françoise Panthène, a doctor and former student of the Montpellier faculty, is at the head of the endowment fund, and she explains what is needed: " The aim is to encourage people to take ownership of this project, and to make them proud to be part of it, to contribute their little stone to a great project."
This sum will be added to the substantial contribution made by the Jardin des Plantes Foundation, which already brings together 25 companies under the chairmanship of Claude Cazes, director of the Cazes Goddyn accounting firm and member of the UM Board of Directors. " There are 25 of us, each of whom has committed to paying 9,000 euros a year for 5 years. The cost of the Intendance project is higher, but we're counting on other sources of funding - the University of course, the public sector and the general public.From thestudent who comes every day and would like to donate 5 or 10 euros, to households or shopkeepers who are a little more comfortable and would like to see this beautiful building, closed for so long, reopen."
A winding story
A building that hasn't always had the shape we know today, dilapidation aside. When the Jardin des Plantes was created in 1593, its founder, the physician Richer de Belleval, built a house on the site of the current Intendance building, in which he resided and which housed an amphitheatre and a small chapel. Here, he stored a collection of naturalist objects and, as a curiosity, built a spiral labyrinth leading down to the water table beneath the garden, in which he cultivated undergrowth plants. " This labyrinth is a vestige that seems to have disappeared at the end of the 18e century," explains Thierry Lavabre-Bertrand, current director of the Jardin des Plantes. If we succeed in finding and restoring it during the course of the work, it will be a wonderful and unique reminder of the history of botany and the glorious days of this garden.
The Richer de Belleval house lasted until the French Revolution, before being extensively rebuilt in the early years of the 19th century, " but apparently encompassing the previous house. This is the form we can see today," continues the director. It remained the residence of the garden's director until 1815, when it also became the seat of the rectorate. " At the time, Augustin Pyramus de Candole held the dual position of garden director and rector, so he installed the rectorate in the garden, and successive rectors found the premises to their liking. At that time, the Commissariat left the bosom of the Faculty of Medicine, to which it was attached, to become the property of the Rectorate... until now. On December 18, the Rectorat, the State and the UM signed a new agreement to return the building to university ownership.
Towards a new chapter
A new page has thus been turned for the intendance. On the one hand, it will regain its function as the garden's administrative headquarters, and on the other, it will become a place for teaching, displaying collections and introducing the general public to the natural sciences and botany. "A second partnership agreement signed between the University and the Rectorat willenable a series of educational events to be organized there," emphasizes Philippe Augé.
Finally, all agreed on the need to make the stewardship department "an open place". "A place that is participative, with a cafeteria, and with the respect that is due to such a precious place " for Françoise Panthène. " A meeting place integrated into the cultural life of the city, so that its beauty shines even more brightly," says Claude Cazes. A unique place in the heart of Montpellier, where each and every one of us will enjoy reading in the shade of the cypress trees, strolling through the alleys, listening to the frogs and talking to the cats... Before joining us at the Intendance.