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Aux Jardins d'Iroise in Dammarie-les-Lys (Melun)

A new cultural alliance: the Arc de Triomphe is exported to a care home for a made-to-measure inclusive project!

The project

In partnership with the care home Les Jardins d'Iroise (EHPAD) in Dammarie-les-Lys, the French capital's iconic monument embarked on an off-site cultural project in 2023-2024, aimed at offering residents a unique and enriching experience. At the care home Les Jardins D'Iroise, access to culture is an integral part of the establishment's project.

Thanks to this partnership, the residents have benefited from a variety of cultural and educational activities, ranging from lectures on the Arc de Triomphe to artistic workshops inspired by its history, and even a visit to the site.

© EHPAD Les Jardins d'Iroise de Dammarie-les-Lys

Objectives and purposes

More than just a cultural discovery, this project aimed to promote the well-being, participation and inclusion of residents. By offering access to culture and art, the Arc de Triomphe and the care home Les Jardins d'Iroise have demonstrated their commitment to the development of all people, especially those who are far removed from culture - a cultural alliance that helps to anchor the monument in its local area.

Together, they set themselves a number of common objectives. The aim was to provide an opportunity to discover the heritage and history of the Arc de Triomphe, while encouraging participants to reflect on its links with their own personal history. The aim was also to provide a space for sharing, reflection and discussion through the medium of cultural subjects.

These activities aimed to create links over a long period, while stimulating the motor skills and reminiscence of the beneficiaries. The Arc de Triomphe is an emblematic monument in the collective imagination. It is a meeting place for Republican events such as 11 November, 8 May and 14 July, as well as for national celebrations such as New Year's Eve, the Tour de France and sporting victories in 1998 and 2018 - events that are broadcast by the media. This project is therefore part of these high points in the life of the community. This more contemporary history has helped to create links through heritage.

A cultural journey in ten stages

Structured around ten varied monthly sessions, each meeting was attended by around thirty people and led by Emma Bégouin or Clémence Roquebert, guide-lecturers at the Arc de Triomphe.

The meetings took place in several key stages: an introductory session, to present the project and establish initial contact with the participants; four lecture sessions, offering an insight into the history and symbols of the monument; four workshop sessions, allowing residents to express themselves artistically and share their impressions; and a concluding session, where participants would have the opportunity to visit the monument in person, accompanied by experienced guides.

Residents also had the opportunity to take part in lectures on historical subjects such as "From the Hill to the Star", "The Unknown Soldier and the Flame of Remembrance", "The Women of the Arc de Triomphe", and "The Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of the Republic". In addition, creative workshops were offered, exploring themes such as "War and peace: what are we celebrating at the Arc de Triomphe?", "Fauna and flora in origami", "Victor Hugo and the Arc de Triomphe", and "Pop-Up! Making a monument". Finally, the cultural tour concludes with a lecture tour of the monument, offering participants an immersive and memorable experience.

The lectures and workshops are, of course, times devoted to developing the history of the monument and its decor. They are also special occasions for residents to evoke memories of the Arc de Triomphe, express their curiosity and discover new artistic talents.

It's a real pleasure to come and give talks at the Jardins d'Iroise. The welcome is always warm and the residents motivated. Coming back on a regular basis and exploring the history of the Arc de Triomphe through a number of themes allows us to forge deeper links and have richer exchanges.

Contact us

Would you like to find out more or carry out a similar project?

Cultural and educational department

Viviana Gobbato

Head of the Culture and Education Department (Accessibility Referent)

service.educatifarc@monuments-nationaux.fr