An Engaging and Sensory Exploration of the Abbey of Cluny for Underserved Communities

During the summer school holidays, the Abbey of Cluny invites children from local community centers and leisure centers to discover the world of the medieval abbey for a day. The program includes an immersive experience featuring sensory and playful workshops centered around the medieval garden of the Abbey of Cluny. These engaging days are specially crafted by the mediators from the Collectif Specimen(s) and the Francas of Saône-et-Loire.

This initiative aims to support the development and enrichment of young people through arts and culture, focusing on three main aspects: interactions with artists and artworks, understanding of arts and heritage, and engaging in artistic activities. The project is designed to fit within various regional cultural development plans, including city contracts, rural contracts, educational cities, and regional artistic education agreements.

The 2024 edition seeks to engage a range of locations—urban, suburban, and rural—and reach diverse audiences by highlighting different types of heritage and offering innovative cultural and artistic experiences. The main goal is to encourage visits to heritage sites that may otherwise be less accessible to the target audiences.

The Abbey of Cluny will provide 130 children with sensory tours, workshops on making natural dyes, learning about medieval medicine, creating herbal teas, and participating in garden-themed storytelling. These activities are tailored for children aged 4 to 12 years.

Abbey of Cluny was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2014.

Pictures © National Monuments Center / Collectif Specimen(s)