Kering and the European Heritage Days

A must-see heritage site 

Nestled within Paris’ 7^th arrondissement, 40, rue de Sèvres has served as Kering’s headquarters since 2016, representing a jewel of Parisian heritage.

Dedicated to caring for the poor and incurable as early as its construction in 1634, the “Hospital for the Incurables” was renamed the Laennec Hospital in 1878, paying tribute to René Laennec, the French physician who invented the stethoscope. The structure encompasses two buildings in the shape of a Jerusalem cross which open out onto eight courtyards positioned either side of a chapel listed as a historical monument.

Inspired by the location’s unique architecture and its rich history, the Group decided to embark on an ambitious project to renovate and restore the site. Today, 40, rue de Sèvres is a showcase for instantly perceptible rare beauty and sense of harmony.

Line-up for 2024

Visitors of 40, rue de Sèvres can admire two never-before-seen exhibitions in the Laennec Chapel and Croix Est area.

In an exclusive nighttime event on the eve of Saturday September 21st, Karine Arneodo Calzolari offered a reading of some of her poems, and Sélène Saint Aimé a musical performance, in the garden next to the chapel.
 

The Pinault Collection presents “Éloge de l’espace”

This year’s Heritage Days sees the Pinault Collection exhibiting the works of Nairy Baghramian, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Trisha Donnelly, Anne Imhof, Mario Merz and Danh Vo. Engaging with abstraction and human representations, viewers are encouraged to interact sensorially with the works and the space within the Laennec Chapel.  
In an exclusive nighttime event on the eve of Saturday September 21^st, Karine Arneodo Calzolari will perform a reading of some of her poems.

Pier Paolo Calzolari, « Senza titolo (Pala di ferro, lumini, pala di rame) », 1989-1990, Chapelle Laennec, Paris, Photo Eric Sander © Pier Paolo Calzolari, ADAGP, Paris, 2024

Introducing “Les subtilités d’un dialogue” by Balenciaga

For the ninth consecutive year, Balenciaga will immerse the beholder in its archives. A collection of six of the House’s hallmark features – namely, black, collars, sleeves, ornaments, sizes and silhouettes – will serve to highlight and deepen the connection between the works of Cristóbal Balenciaga and Demna.
 

"Les Subtilités d’un dialogue", ©Eric Sander

Spotlighting Kering and heritage

Kering’s architectural heritage is far from restricted to the former Laennec Hospital. In fact, a number of other notable buildings spanning France and Italy are home to teams from the Group and its Houses. Ten of them will be on display in the garden adjoining the apse of the Laennec Chapel. 

 During this edition of the European Heritage Days, Kering was pleased to welcome approximately 11,000 visitors to discover its headquarters and its history, as well as exhibitions from the Pinault Collection and Balenciaga.

A can't-miss event 

The building at 40, rue de Sèvres, a jewel of Parisian heritage, dates back to the 17^th century. Dedicated to caring for the poor as early as 1634, the hospice des Incurables [Hospital for the Incurable] became Laennec Hospital in 1878, then underwent a vast rehabilitation project in the early 2010s. In 2016, Kering and Balenciaga established headquarters there.

 Eager to ensure that this exceptional heritage site remains open to all, the Group has included the building in the European Heritage Days program since 2016, offering the public a unique annual rendezvous with heritage and contemporary creation.

Kering celebrates its 10^th anniversary 

The Group's history is rooted in Brittany where, in 1962, François Pinault founded Etablissements Pinault, a company specializing in wood trading. Fueled by its founder's daring and vision, the company grew to span the entire wood industry, quickly establishing itself as a major French economic player. The Group then embarked on a remarkable evolution, from the wood trade to specialized distribution and mass retail (PPR), then to luxury goods. 

In 2013, PPR became Kering. The Group's name is as much a nod to its origins as it is to its relationship to its Houses: in the Breton language, ker means "home" or "a place to live." The name also plays on the sound and meaning of the English word caring, illustrating how the Group sees its role with respect to its Houses, its employees, society, and the environment.

Learn more

Practical information 

40, rue de Sèvres – Paris 7^th
 Open to the public on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the evening of Saturday the 16^th until 10:00 p.m.*
*Last entry one hour before closing time.

Ever since the company’s move to 40, rue de Sèvres, Kering planned for this architectural jewel to remain open to the public. This is why the Group listed the building in the European Heritage Days program, with a twofold ambition: to share the history of this exceptional site, but also that of the Group (discover the history of Kering). 

Focusing on the theme of “Sustainable Heritage,” the 39th edition of European Heritage Days spotlights the many challenges related to the preservation of heritage against the background of climate change. Heritage is a driving force for both the economic and tourist development of regions and the preservation of craftsmanship. Today, heritage looks to the future, raising the question of the continuity of traditions: how do we restore and maintain historical monuments while meeting the environmental standards and Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030? 

Covering an area of 17,200 m², the Kering headquarters required many years of restoration to develop a workplace that satisfies current requirements while protecting the uniqueness of the site. It is among the first historic monuments to earn the French Haute Qualité Environnementale certification (HQE Renovation). In 2018, 40, rue de Sèvres became the first French historic site to obtain BREEAM In-Use certification, the HQE British equivalent. For the gardens, which make up more than half the size of the site, Kering bans the use of chemical products, allowing nature to have its way. One of the site’s gardens contains five beehives, a reminder of Kering’s commitment to biodiversity. A number of sustainability measures are practiced at 40, rue de Sèvres. These include water efficiency and waste recycling initiatives as well as a catering area to ensure that all employees can enjoy healthy and nutritious meals, free of single-use containers. 

To celebrate this year’s Heritage Days, Kering has designed a new itinerary allowing visitors to discover almost all of Laennec’s spaces. The tour begins in the impressive main courtyard, with a scale model of the site and educational content to help visitors appreciate the full scope of the location. It continues in the chapel of the former Laennec Hospital with a selection of contemporary works of art. As is custom since 2016, Kering has partnered with the Pinault Collection to develop an original exhibition, this year featuring the works of Belgian artist, Edith Dekyndt. Visitors can then enter the Croix Est area—the home of Balenciaga—and admire archive pieces created by Cristóbal Balenciaga, before ending with a stroll through the Laennec gardens or a visit to a large-scale photo exhibition where they can discover other historic buildings restored by Kering in Paris. 

“Aria of Inertia”, by Edith Dekyndt – Pinault Collection

To mark this 39^th European Heritage Days program, the Pinault Collection will curate a solo exhibition by the artist, Edith Dekyndt. For the first time ever, the Pinault Collection exhibition will form part of Kering’s Women In Motion program, which shines a light on women in the world of arts and culture.

The “Aria of Inertia” exhibition sparks interactions between existing works and new productions, specifically designed for the event. The influence of the Laennec chapel extends beyond hosting the Belgian artist’s works, having inspired some of them by determining the physical processes and materials. The beauty and force of Edith Dekyndt’s art stem from her belief that every object is a living organism, constantly interacting and resonating with its host environment. 

"Dresses Beyond Time", Balenciaga

Through archive pieces created by Cristóbal Balenciaga, visitors are given a rare opportunity to take a deep dive into the House’s history and discover a different side of its creative heritage. These models will be juxtaposed with the creations of Demna, Balenciaga’s Artistic Director, who reintroduced the brand’s Haute Couture collection in 2021 after a 53-year break.

In 2001, Balenciaga set up an archive and heritage department dedicated to preservation, promotion, and creation, establishing a policy of conservation and acquisition of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s creations. Today, more than 900 pieces by the Spanish master enrich the collections of this heritage department. 

Balenciaga was founded in San Sebastian (Spain), in 1917, by Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972). Forced to flee the Spanish Civil War, the designer moved to Paris in 1937, where he found immediate success through the exceptional quality of his creations coupled with his radical designs and silhouettes, not to mention his many innovations and his modern and unique vision. 

40, rue de Sèvres – Paris 7^th arrondissement

Open to the public Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18, from 10am to 7pm*, with an evening event on Saturday 17 until 10pm*.

*Last entry one hour before closing time.

A new lease on life for 40, rue de Sèvres

40, rue de Sèvres, the headquarters of Kering and Balenciaga, is one of Paris’ treasured historical jewels. Known as the hospice des Incurables (Hospital for the Incurables) from 1634 to 1878 and then renamed l’hôpital Laennec (the Laennec Hospital), the site has undergone extensive restoration work. Large-scale renovation began in 2000 to restore the 17^th- and 18^th-century constructions to their former glory. The challenge was immensely complex: to bring life back to the site without losing its original spirit – and to do so while complying with the rules for renovating listed buildings and spaces, such as the chapel built during the reign of Louis XIII.

From the beginning of restoration, Kering has actively supported the renaissance of this unique 17,000 m² site. In 2016, the Group made the natural decision to list 40 rue de Sèvres in the European Heritage Days program, making it accessible to the public.

Follow the itinerary

The tour begins in the main courtyard where visitors can admire the completed restoration work which was led by the Chief Architect for France’s historical monuments. It continues in the chapel with a presentation of five works of art from the Pinault Collection. The exclusive Paysages exhibition centers on Paul Rebeyrolle’s majestic work, Vegas del condado (Spanish landscape), which has been continuously displayed in the chapel altar since 2020. Rebeyrolle’s piece will be accompanied by monumental paintings by Hélène Delprat and Wang Yancheng. 

Balenciaga will exhibit an unprecedented selection of creations made between 1938 and 1968. The exhibition reflects both the exceptional craftsmanship of Cristóbal Balenciaga and societal developments over the three decades. These silhouettes are juxtaposed with Balenciaga’s 50^th Couture collection – artistic Director Demna Gvasalia's first – unveiled in July 2021. Lastly, visitors can stroll through the gardens which occupy almost half of the grounds.

Follow European Heritage Days on social media:

#40Sevres #JEP2021

To learn more, download the guide for the 2021 edition: 

•    40, rue de Sèvres guide (French only)

A jewel of heritage

Constructed as a hospital for the poor in 1634, l’hospice des Incurables (the Hospital for the Incurables) was renamed the Laennec Hospital in 1878. In 2000, the French government sold off the entire site. And so began a large-scale restoration and renovation project, led by the chief architect for France’s historical monuments and actively supported by Kering. The site was earmarked as the future head office of the Group, as well as that of the House Balenciaga. Nearly 10 years of study and six years of renovations were required to recapture the landmark’s historic form. From the day Kering moved into its new head office in 2016, its intention was for this historic property to be made accessible to the public. Every year since, 40, rue de Sèvres, has been listed in the Heritage Days program in an effort to raise awareness among visitors of all generations about the importance of preserving and valuing heritage.

In a show of gratitude to frontline workers who have now spent many months tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, the Group is planning an exclusive tour of the premises for hospital and healthcare workers. The evening event, which is organized in collaboration with healthcare institutions, will take place on Saturday, September 19 from 7.00-9.00pm by reservation only.

Reliving the history of 40, rue de Sèvres

Over the course of an entirely revamped tour that fully complies with current health protocols, visitors will become immersed in the site’s history as they watch a series of sketches performed by professional actors and written by Tali Cohen, an actress with theatre company, La Capsule. In the main courtyard, visitors will find René Laennec, the inventor of the stethoscope and one of the precursors of modern medicine, while in the chapel, a painter and conservator are working on its restoration. The chapel is the site’s centerpiece and is listed as a historical monument. An architect outlines the building’s floor plans behind a lavender shrub, unveiling the secrets of the gardens that take up more than half of the former hospital’s grounds.

Combining history and fiction, the interactive tour is a fun experience. QR codes are placed strategically throughout the visit, offering historical reconstructions as well as previously unseen archive photos and videos.

Discover a work from the Pinault Collection 

French painter Paul Rebeyrolle’s majestic work Paysage espagnol (Vegas del condado) — a Pinault Collection piece — will also be displayed in the Laennec chapel. It was François Pinault’s friend Pierre Daix who drew his attention to the artist’s prominence. Pinault then became one of the most established Rebeyrolle art collectors, and fourteen of the artist’s works feature in the renowned Collection. Today, the latter is one of the seminal contemporary art collections the world over. It has already been exhibited in Venice and will soon be available to visitors in Paris at the Bourse de Commerce. Through temporary exhibitions, the aim is to make the Pinault Collection accessible to as many people as possible and to also reach a broader audience. This approach is in line with Kering’s vision for Luxury.

Practical information

40, rue de Sèvres – Paris 7^th arrondissement

Open to the public Saturday, September 19 from 10am to 7pm and Sunday, September 20 from 10am to 6pm.

Follow European Heritage Days on social media:

#40Sevres #JEP2020

A unique encounter with history, art and creativity

Ever since the company moved to the former hôpital Laennec in 2015, Kering planned for the landmark to remain open to the public. Since 2016, 40 rue de Sèvres has been listed in the European Heritage Days program. The site offers a singular perspective on art and fashion, and raises awareness, among young and old alike, about the importance of preserving and valuing heritage. European Heritage Days will be held on September 21^st and 22^nd, under the theme “Art and Entertainment” offering a new occasion to learn about the architectural jewel’s history and secrets. 

Follow the itinerary

The tour begins in the main courtyard with a virtual reality experience in which visitors can see what the building looked like in the 17^th century. It continues in the historic chapel where the Tears of Joy exhibition presents a selection of artworks from the Pinault Collection. Afterwards, visitors could stroll through the hidden gardens where the toiles, or “three-dimensional sketches”, from the Balenciaga House archives were exhibited for the first time. The tour ended as visitors gathered round the French Cup. Won last year by the Stade Rennais FC football team, it embodies both art and heritage, and made a rare appearance at Kering’s HQ during European Heritage Days.

The exhibitions

Reflecting the “Art and Entertainment” theme of the 36^th European Heritage Days, the selection is inspired by entertainment in the form of shows: the circus with Sigmar Polke, the carnival with Claire Tabouret, popular celebrations with Martial Raysse, and finally cartoons with Damien Hirst and his Mickey.

Any piece of clothing starts with an idea and a sketch. Next comes volume: the toile or “sculpted” drawing. A fundamental step, draping fabric onto a dress form, requires high standards, precision, technique and meticulous thought. Cristóbal Balenciaga endlessly manipulated and adjusted to create perfectly interpreted volumes. During European Heritage Days, the House  presented 18 demi-toiles from its archives – rare pieces that are usually kept secretly protected in the workshop...

Download the 2019 edition guides:

40, rue de Sèvres guide (French only)

Adult's guide 

Children's guide (French only)


Discover previous editions of this event, in 2016, 2017, 2018.