By Judy Carmack Bross
Surely Springtime’s most charming invitation.
The American-based French Heritage Society and Barge Lady Cruises celebrate Springtime and the artist Rosa Bonheur on May 10 in a private Barrington Hills home, welcoming visitors from the Musée Rosa Bonheur located next to the forests Fontainebleau in Thomery, France. Guests are invited to meet sisters Lily-Jeanne and Lou Brault of Château de By. Recalling the November FHS event featuring “chateau-aholic” author and designer Timothy Corrigan who spoke on his four favorite chateaus, the afternoon should effervesce and educate.
Artist Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur, widely considered the most famous female painter of the 19th century and admired by Queen Victoria, purchased Chateau de By in 1859 and moved her studio there. She is extolled for her paintings of animals from the fields around her property, but her fame quickly spread. She was exhibited at both the Women’s Building and the Palace of Fine Arts at the Chicago’s World’s Fair of 1893 and even painted Wild Bill Cody and animals from his Wild West Show. Bonheur painted The Horse Fair which may be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Together with their mother, Katherine Brault who privately purchased the property, the Brault sisters have succeeded in recreating Bonheur’s milieu by transforming it into a vibrant cultural hub. Their efforts have led to the discovery of over 50,000 artifacts related to Bonheur, including a nearly 15-foot-long canvas drawing that was showcased at the Musée d’Orsay during Bonheur’s bicentenary retrospective in 2022.
Barge Lady French cruises carry only two to 12 guests, ensuring access to the people, places, and experiences only accessible to small groups and those in the know, including unique venues and regional secrets. The Chateau de By and other visits as an FHS member and Barge Lady guest offer access to most memorable and important architectural treasures deep within the French countryside
Chateau de By
With headquarters in New York and Paris, the French Heritage Society raises funds contributing to architectural restoration projects in France and in the U.S. Recent FHS grant recipients include le Grand Palais, an Olympic Games competition site, the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris and George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia. FHS is also dedicated to education through a robust Franco-American internship exchange program for university students and a cross-cultural exchange for professional fellows. To date, FHS has awarded nearly 15.8 million in grants to over 65 chateaux, historic properties, and botanical gardens in France and supports and promotes French colonial properties in the U.S, most notably the French Heritage Corridor in seven midwestern states. There are ten chapters in the U.S. The Chicago-Midwest chapter, sponsors fundraising events and conferences in Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans, among other locations.
We spoke with Lisa Kahn, Chair of the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the French Heritage Society.
“As a recipient of a 2022 architectural restoration grant from the French Heritage Society, Château de By is thrilled to send the Brault sisters to the States, providing the perfect opportunity for local Francophiles to connect with these accomplished women who are ensuring the rich legacy of the pioneering artist, Rosa Bonheur, is celebrated and preserved for generations to come”
Lou Brault Artistic Director of the Festival Rosa Bonheur and Assistant Director at the Chateau de Rosa Bonheur.
“Lou Brault is a dynamic force in the French cultural scene, serving as the Artistic Director of the Festival Rosa Bonheur and Assistant Director at the Château de Rosa Bonheur in France. A graduate of the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Lou brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the legacy of Rosa Bonheur, the trailblazing 19th-century French painter known for her defiance of gender norms and her deep connection with animals. Through her leadership at the Festival Rosa Bonheur and her stewardship of the château, Lou Brault is not only preserving the legacy of a remarkable artist but also fostering a space where art, history, and contemporary dialogue intersect. Established in 2020, the festival celebrates female creativity and cultural heritage, known as “matrimoine,” through a multidisciplinary program that includes music, theater, visual arts, and literature. Under Brault’s leadership, the festival has become a platform for showcasing the work of women artists across various genres. For instance, the 2022 edition featured performances by musicians, actresses, singers, composers, directors, and poets, highlighting the diverse talents of women in the arts.
Lily-Jeanne Brault of the Musée Rosa Boneur.
“Lily-Jeanne Brault is a vibrant marketing professional at the Musée de Rosa Bonheur, where history and creativity intertwine. As a master’s student in marketing at ISC Paris, she brings youthful energy and innovative ideas to the château’s cultural initiatives. At the heart of the château’s dynamic team, Lily-Jeanne plays a pivotal role in orchestrating events like the Festival Rosa Bonheur, a celebration of women creators that transforms the château’s gardens into a lively cultural nexus. Her efforts ensure that the legacy of Rosa Bonheur, the trailblazing 19th-century artist, continues to inspire contemporary audiences. Beyond her marketing prowess, Lily-Jeanne’s contributions help maintain the château’s unique atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy guided tours, art exhibitions, and even stay in guest rooms once occupied by Bonheur herself. Her dedication ensures that the spirit of Rosa Bonheur remains alive, offering an immersive experience that blends art, history, and hospitality. In essence, Lily-Jeanne Brault is not just promoting a historic site; she’s curating an ongoing narrative that celebrates artistic heritage and fosters cultural appreciation.”
For more information visit: https://frenchheritagesociety.org/event/chicago-midwest-afternoon-with-rosa-bonheur/
For more information about Rosa Bonheur, visit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/redemption-rosa-bonheur-french-artist-180976027/
For a peek into spring 2025 at the Rosa Bonheur studio, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16P2NDUfyk/
For an overview of how the French Heritage Society granted the Chateau de By funds for restoration, click here: https://frenchheritagesociety.org/grants/2022/chateau-de-by-rosa-bonheur/
For media inquiries, please contact Stephanie Sack, marketing maven at Barge Lady Cruises – stephanie@bargelady.com
