The general cultural heritage inventory, an ‘adventure of the mind’, to quote its founders, the art historian André Chastel (1912-1990) and the French minister for culture André Malraux (1901-1976), celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. Yet, it appears obvious that gardens were somewhat neglected among the first subjects to board this ship of knowledge on heritage of all sorts. The development of the notion of heritage itself in the 1980s and 1990s, then the national campaign to draw a pre-inventory of botanic and landscaped gardens of historic interest, gradually led inventory departments to take gardens, and the study thereof, into account. Such is the case in Normandy, where a themed regional inventory of public parks and gardens (19th – 21st centuries) is underway. This conference will present those located in Orne, by offering insights into the method, and by proposing a test on typology whilst unveiling some superb discoveries.

Bénédicte Duthion is a member of the European Institute for Gardens & Landscapes’ scientific committee and works as a researcher at the Normandy Regional Council Culture & Heritage Directorate’s inventory department. As an active member of the interregional ‘park and garden inventory’ body, co-coordinated by the French Ministry for Culture, she is also a member of a work group on the ‘remarkable garden’ label in Normandy. A doctor in modern literature, she is also an associate member of the University of Rouen – Normandy’s CÉRÉdI laboratory.

Free entry, subject to capacity.