The 2026 French pilgrimage
In June 2026, members of the International Council and Chairman’s Circle embarked on an annual rite of passage: the 2026 French Pilgrimage. This year’s journey through Paris and Normandy offered unparalleled access to some of France’s most remarkable cultural treasures.
The week began with a private reception at a historic residence on rue de Rivoli, where guests explored an outstanding collection of Neoclassical paintings and Greek and Roman antiquities. The program continued with a behind-the-scenes visit to Hôtel Drouot before opening hours, including its archives and storage facilities, which preserve centuries of French cultural history—from the sale of the French Crown Jewels to vital documentation for World War II restitution research.
The guests also enjoyed a hardhat tour of the Musée Nissim de Camondo which is currently closed for renovations, a private visit with celebrated jeweler Lorenz Bäumer, as well as an early visit to JR’s immersive installation La Caverne du Pont Neuf, which paid homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s The Pont Neuf Wrapped.
A defining moment of the Pilgrimage was the visit to the Louvre on Tuesday, during the museum’s jour de fermeture. After visiting the exhibition Michelangelo and Rodin: Living Bodies, members and guests returned in black tie for Une Soirée au Musée 2026. The evening celebrated the reopening of the Spanish Galleries following a $2 million restoration, made possible by American Friends of the Louvre and its generous patrons, including the Sada Melo family in memory of Federico Sada González, Naoma Tate, and Lionel and Ariane Sauvage. Guests enjoyed intimate access to the Grande Galerie and the Salle des États, including a private viewing of the Mona Lisa, before gathering on the Mollien Staircase and Terrace for a champagne reception and seated dinner.
The journey continued in Normandy, where participants were welcomed into remarkable private estates that illuminated France’s architectural legacy. Exclusive visits to the Châteaux de Lantheuil, Brécy, and Vendeuvre revealed beautifully preserved interiors, curated gardens, and exceptional collections still cared for by the families who have stewarded them for generations. Our final evening was enjoyed at Château de Balleroy, the Forbes family’s former estate, where guests enjoyed private tours, a musical recital, and dinner in the château’s historic dining room. It was a fitting conclusion to a week defined by extraordinary access, meaningful encounters, and a celebration of France’s artistic and cultural heritage.