François Mitterrand's gift museum reopens as Cité des Présents in Château-Chinon

The Cité des Présents-François Mitterrand has opened in Château-Chinon, France, after a renovation that expanded the museum to nearly 2,000 m². Originally founded in 1986 as the Musée du Septennat, it houses over 4,800 objects gifted to the former French president during his 14-year tenure. The collection includes a portrait of Prince Charles, an oasis in vermeil and malachite from the Saudi king, an ivory-inlaid elephant from India, and taxidermy lions from Central African Republic president André Kolingba. Mitterrand also commissioned architect Fernand Pouillon to create about 50 terrestrial globes marking personal sites like Jarnac, Solutré, Latche, and Château-Chinon. A separate section displays three centuries of fashion, from a 1690 wedding purse to a 2018 Alexis Mabille dress, including Carven, Yves Saint Laurent, and Pascal Millet pieces. The museum is located at 6 Place Saint-Christophe, Château-Chinon.