More than 100 sculptures take over the Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi from 4 to 11 July 2026
What if contemporary sculpture found its most meaningful setting beyond the walls of a museum? Over the past decade, an increasing number of artists have embraced gardens, historic estates and cultural landscapes as exhibition spaces, offering visitors a more immersive way to experience sculpture. In Santenay, Burgundy, Au Domaine des Sens perfectly illustrates this evolution. From 4 to 11 July 2026, around twenty sculptors will present more than one hundred artworks at the Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi, where the vineyard itself becomes part of the artistic experience.
Organised by the Biennale de Sculpture Contemporaine en Bourgogne, with the support of the Municipality of Nolay and thanks to the generous collaboration of the Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi, the exhibition highlights a simple yet powerful idea: sculpture takes on a new dimension when it engages directly with its environment.
When the landscape reshapes the way we look at sculpture
Here, the landscape is far more than a backdrop.
The geometry of the vineyards, the historic architecture of the estate, the mineral textures and the ever-changing natural light all influence the way each sculpture is perceived. As visitors move through the grounds, perspectives shift, shadows evolve and materials reveal new qualities.
Rather than being isolated objects, the sculptures become part of a living environment where nature, architecture and artistic creation continually interact.
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A panorama of contemporary sculpture
The exhibition brings together a diverse selection of sculptors whose practices reflect the richness of contemporary sculpture today.
Clay retains its organic character in the works of Sylvie Arfelli, Carole Auriac and Xavier Embise, where each surface preserves the memory of the artist’s gesture.
Bronze, one of sculpture’s most enduring materials, is explored through the distinctive approaches of Pascale Beneteau, Anita Bonici and Éric Vanel. Vanel’s figurative sculptures combine technical mastery with emotional depth and narrative sensitivity—a body of work previously explored by ART MAG in its feature “Éric Vanel: The Art of Sculpting the Soul.”
The corten steel structures created by Julien Clar and Éric Vialla-Tweak resonate with the colours of the Burgundian landscape, while Éric Chambon investigates the dialogue between sandstone and bronze. Using Carrara marble, Christelle Meunier reinterprets one of sculpture’s most iconic materials through a contemporary lens.
Exploring new materials and sculptural languages
Several artists push the boundaries of traditional sculpture by combining multiple materials and techniques.
Sophie Mattei brings together bronze, clay and mineral resin in hybrid compositions, while Anne Moreau Vagnon incorporates textile into sculptural practice, expanding the vocabulary of the medium.
For David Benoit, the legacy of François Pompon becomes the starting point for a contemporary reinterpretation rather than a simple tribute.
The exhibition is further enriched by works from Sylvie Gaudissart, Marc Antoine Lion, Laëtitia-May Le Guélaff, Gilles Pugin, Katty Verstraeten and Annick Dumarchey, whose practices range from ceramics to experimental sculptural forms.
Visitors will also discover a work by Sofía Táboas, presented by FRAC Bourgogne, a collaborative installation created by students from the Beaune School of Fine Arts, and an exceptional contribution from renowned British sculptor Paul Day.
A milestone on the road to the 2028 Biennale
More than a summer exhibition, Au Domaine des Sens represents an important step towards the next Biennale de Sculpture Contemporaine en Bourgogne, scheduled to take place in Nolay in 2028.
The project reflects a growing commitment to bringing contemporary sculpture closer to local communities by creating meaningful encounters between artworks, heritage sites and landscapes. It also demonstrates how outdoor exhibitions can broaden access to contemporary art while offering visitors a richer and more immersive experience.
Practical Information
Exhibition: Au Domaine des Sens
Venue: Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi, Santenay, Burgundy, France
Dates: 4–11 July 2026
Admission: Free
Why visit Au Domaine des Sens?
At Santenay, sculpture leaves the traditional gallery space to engage directly with one of Burgundy’s most remarkable wine landscapes. Blending heritage, nature and contemporary creation, Au Domaine des Sens offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience sculpture as part of a living environment—where light, space and the passing of time continually reshape the encounter between artwork and viewer.
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FAQ – Au Domaine des Sens Sculpture Exhibition in Santenay
The exhibition takes place at Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi in Santenay, Burgundy (Côte-d’Or, France). The sculptures are displayed outdoors throughout the estate’s park, around the château, and among the surrounding vineyards, creating a unique open-air artistic experience.
Au Domaine des Sens runs from 4 to 11 July 2026. Over eight days, visitors can explore an open-air sculpture trail set within one of Burgundy’s most renowned wine estates.
Yes. The exhibition is free and open to the public, welcoming contemporary art enthusiasts, collectors, wine tourists, and visitors wishing to discover sculpture in an exceptional heritage setting.
Around twenty contemporary sculptors are featured in this edition, presenting more than 100 artworks, including several monumental installations. The exhibition showcases a wide range of materials such as bronze, clay, marble, sandstone, corten steel, and mineral resin.
The exhibition includes works by Éric Vanel, Sylvie Arfelli, Carole Auriac, Xavier Embise, Pascale Beneteau, Anita Bonici, Julien Clar, Éric Chambon, Christelle Meunier, Sophie Mattei, Anne Moreau Vagnon, David Benoit, Paul Day, and several other contemporary sculptors. The programme also features a work by Sofía Táboas, presented by FRAC Bourgogne, as well as a collaborative installation created by students from the Beaune School of Fine Arts.
Displaying sculpture outdoors allows artworks to interact directly with their surroundings. Natural light, changing weather, vineyard landscapes, and the estate’s historic architecture continually transform the way visitors experience each sculpture, creating a dialogue between art, nature, and heritage.
The exhibition is organised by the Biennale de Sculpture Contemporaine en Bourgogne, with the support of the Municipality of Nolay. The Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi generously provides its grounds to host this cultural event in the heart of Burgundy’s vineyards.
Au Domaine des Sens offers a rare opportunity to experience contemporary sculpture beyond the traditional museum setting. By bringing together more than one hundred artworks in an exceptional wine-growing landscape, the exhibition invites visitors to discover how sculpture can engage with history, architecture, and nature while anticipating the next Biennale de Sculpture Contemporaine en Bourgogne, scheduled for 2028 in Nolay
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