Distinguished French prize presented to VILLUM FONDEN

03/01/2017

VILLUM FONDEN has been honored for its longstanding commitment to the preservation of French heritage with the new French prize "Un projet, un mécène".

On 25 January 2017, VILLUM FONDEN received the French prize "Un projet, un mécène". The prize was presented by the French Minister for Culture and Communication, Audrey Azoulay.

It is the first time that the prize is presented. The purpose of the prize is to highlight and acknowledge various ambitious cultural projects made possible due to grants by a patron.

VILLUM FONDEN received the prize in the 'Heritage' category - for the restoration of the glass dome at the Palais de la Découverte, part of the iconic Grand Palais in Paris.

The prize is also a great acknowledgment of the foundation's long-standing commitment to the preservation of French heritage, which also includes the participation in the restoration of Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. The beautiful chapel of Île de la Cité reopened in 2015 after seven years of extensive restoration of the glass mosaics from the 13th century.

The Foundation SNCF, La Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès, La Fondation Logirem, La Fondation Bettencourt Schueller and others received prizes in other categories.

Each prize winner received a trophy created by sculptress and jewelry designer Estelle Barelier.