This appointment is part of a dynamic of pursuit and development of the missions of these two major institutions of the Sétois cultural landscape.
A graduate of the Sorbonne and the Louvre school, Camille Bertrand-Hardy is heritage curator. She began her career in Martigues as heritage project manager, before being appointed assistant heritage director of Salon-de-Provence. Since 2018, she has managed the Museums Service of the City and the Agglomeration Community of Montélimar, notably managing the programming of exhibitions and the coordination of multidisciplinary teams on a territorial scale. His institutional career illustrates an in -depth knowledge of territory issues, conservation and mediation with audiences.
The Paul Valéry Museum, created in 1970 and labeled “Museum of France”, is distinguished by collections extending from the 17th century to the contemporary period. In particular, it houses funds devoted to Paul Valéry and Salah Stétié, and develops a policy of temporary exhibitions with national and international influence. “It is a living museum, deeply rooted in its territory … but which also displays a national, even international ambition”Recalls Camille Bertrand-Hardy for Rts. In all, more than 7,000 works are kept there. The Georges Brassens space presents itself, for its part, as a memorial space dedicated to the figure of the Setois musician poet. With an area of almost 850 m², it offers the visitor a sensory immersion thanks to a scenography associating documents, objects, reconstructions and sound atmosphere. According to Camille Bertrand-Hardy, “This place offers a real immersion in the life and work of Brassens … a journey rich in emotions”.
The management position implies the definition and conduct of the scientific and cultural project of the two establishments, the management of the teams, the development of the programming and the mediation strategy for the attention of very diverse audiences. The major exhibitions planned for 2025 and 2026, imagined by Stéphane Tarroux, will be maintained. As for future guidelines, Camille Bertrand-Hardy plans to “Propose crossed views on the works”by integrating new partnerships and multidisciplinary perspectives from 2026. “The museum must be able to address everyone, from the visitor to the curious passage. It is necessary to offer accessible, innovative formats, adapted to families and enthusiasts ” she said.
The departure of Stéphane Tarroux, director of the museum since 2021 and praised for the quality of his work, comes in a context of health reasons. His involvement was underlined, notably through the police station of the exhibition “Philippe Coagé. The work of time ”, visible until November 2025.
