The Fondation will exclusively unveil the casting of the giant fossilized tree discovered at the Angeac-Charente paleontological site. This site, located in the Grand Cognac region (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is one of the most important in Europe, particularly renowned for its exceptional discoveries, including the remains of one of the largest dinosaurs ever uncovered. The research is led by both professional and amateur scientists, organized under the association “Paléocharente.”

This unprecedented presentation takes place as part of a special event day organized by the Foundation on the theme of millennial trees, within the exhibition Continuum – JB Blunk, which will be exceptionally reopened for the occasion.

The public will be invited to rediscover the wooden sculptures of the American artist JB Blunk (1926-2002)—a legendary sculptor who drew inspiration from nature—and to admire the full-scale casting of the fossilized tree discovered in 2023 at the Angeac-Charente paleontological site near Angoulême.

This nearly 15-meter-long millennial tree, dating back 140 million years, will interact with Blunk’s works, which were made from remains of sequoias originating from Northern California, where he lived.

At 3 p.m., paleobotanist Léa de Brito and paleontologist Jean-François Tournepiche will engage in a discussion about fossils and what they reveal about environmental changes, the preservation of living heritage, and the contemporary challenges facing our forest ecosystems.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Self-guided visits
At 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.: Guided tours with a cultural mediator (duration: 1 hour)
At 3 p.m.: Lecture by Léa de Brito (researcher in paleobotany at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris) and Jean-François Tournepiche (paleontologist)

On this occasion, Le Texte Libre will present a selection of books for children and adults on the theme of forests at the Foundation’s bookstore.

Léa de Brito
Temporary teaching and research associate (ATER) at the MNHN (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle) within the Paleontology Research Center in Paris (CR2P), holding a PhD in Science from the University of Liège. She is a paleobotanist, specializing in the study of fossil conifers from the Mesozoic era.

Jean-François Tournepiche
Honorary Chief Curator of Heritage, he served at the Angoulême Museum for nearly 40 years and co-leads the Angeac-Charente project within the “Paléocharente” association.

A geologist and paleontologist by training, he became a curator at the Angoulême Museum in 1986. Specializing in the study of Quaternary mammals, he has discovered and directed excavations at dozens of sites in Charente for the past 50 years. This scientific work has been complemented by efforts to promote this heritage through exhibitions, books, educational activities, and lectures. After the discovery of the Angeac-Charente site, he established a research, conservation, and valorization project for the site, leading a team organized under the “Paléocharente” association.