From 23–25 May 2025, the CIC French Delegation, under the gracious leadership of Catherine Chambaud and Michel Caillard, hosted the CIC Cultural Weekend 2025 — an immersive three-day journey through the Loire Valley, celebrating the intertwined legacies of hunting, heritage, and conservation. The event brought together CIC members and associations from nine different countries, reflecting the global unity and shared values that underpin the Council’s work.
The weekend opened in grand fashion at the Château de Chambord, one of Europe’s most iconic Renaissance estates and long recognised as the historic seat of the Presidential Hunt of France (La Chasse Présidentielle). The château, once the hunting lodge of King Francis I and later the official hunting venue of the French Republic, served as a powerful backdrop for the weekend’s opening cocktail reception and gala dinner, organised jointly with L’Association Nationale des Chasseurs de Grand Gibier (established in 1950). In this exceptional setting, participants reflected on the enduring role of hunting in shaping both national identity and conservation values.
On Saturday, guests travelled to Château de Montpoupon, where they were personally welcomed by Count Quentin de Louvencourt. The estate, deeply rooted in France’s vénerie (mounted hunting) tradition, houses the Museum of Vénerie, offering a vivid portrayal of hunting’s ceremonial and cultural significance. A private reception and traditional hunting horn performance further connected guests with the refined heritage of French chasse à courre.
The day continued with a visit to Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, highlighting the region’s artistic heritage and da Vinci’s enduring influence on European thought and aesthetics.
On Sunday, the group concluded with a visit to the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, home to the International Garden Festival, followed by a shared lunch and farewells.
The CIC presence was led by President Dr. Philipp Harmer, Director-General Sebastian Winkler and honoured by the attendance of SCI International CEO Laird Hamberlin, which underscored the importance of cross-organisational cooperation and the unifying power of shared cultural heritage.
At a time when hunting is increasingly questioned, events such as this serve to reaffirm the legitimacy of our traditions, the strength of our international community, and the irreplaceable role of culture in the sustainable management of nature. Cultural heritage is not ornamental: it is foundational to the identity, acceptance, and transmission of hunting across generations.
The CIC warmly thanks all those who took part and extends particular gratitude to our French hosts for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to honouring the past while shaping a sustainable future.
