Florence’s Institut Français has announced its youngest ever director. Manon Hansemann, 36, was formerly the administrator for historic monuments for the Centre of French National Monuments, including the Clemenceau House and Gardens in St-Vincent-sur-Jard, the towers of La Rochelle, the Gallo-Roman site of Sanxay and Charroux Abbey in the Vienne.
Isabelle Mallez concluded her five-year mandate as director of Florence’s French Institute at the end of August. The popular director said her goodbyes during the annual Bastille Day celebrations in piazza Ognissanti with a spectacular theatre show using the institute’s façade.
“I have a connection with Florence and Tuscany that I’ve never had in my previous appointments. After all, my background was perfect given my art history and philosophy studies and the region’s rich history,” commented Mallez, who will remain linked to Tuscany on the board of directors at Prato’s Metastasio Theatre.
