Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Museum of President Jacques Chirac, located in Sarran in Corrèze, was designed to house the collection of objects offered to Jacques Chirac during his presidential functions. Inaugurated on 15 December 2000 by the Head of State himself, he was inspired by a pre-existing house and barn, incorporating modern architecture signed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. The ensemble, extended between 2004 and 2006, now comprises 4,700 m2, including visiting reserves, an auditorium and a library of 12,000 volumes.

The museum exhibits about 150 gifts among the 5,000 received, distributed by geopolitical zones, illustrating the diplomatic relations of France under its two mandates. Each object is accompanied by an explanatory note, contextualizing international meetings. In 2021, the museum was the victim of a targeted robbery: a sculpture of gold and precious stones, donated by Saudi Arabia, was stolen, triggering an investigation by Brive's public prosecutor's office.

Owned by the Corrèze department council, the museum has experienced financial challenges, with cumulative losses of €9.4 million between 2002 and 2010, despite variable attendance (up to 62,000 visitors in 2010). It also offers temporary exhibitions dedicated to the arts of Africa and Asia, reflecting the diplomatic and cultural interests of Jacques Chirac.

The site, located at the south entrance of the village, dominates a valley redesigned by landscaper Michel Desvigne. It symbolizes both the local anchor of Chirac, elected from the region for decades, and its presidential legacy. The castle of Bity, owned by the Chirac couple in Sarran, reinforces this territorial link. The museum, labeled Musée de France, remains a place of memory of the two presidential mandates, while opening up to contemporary themes.

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