Pommery: Underground Art – From History to Modernity

How did Pommery champagne become part of the art world?

The Beginning: The Bold Decision of Louise Pommery

The history of Pommery champagne is inextricably linked with the name Louise Pommery. In 1858, after the death of her husband, she took over the management of the winery, becoming one of the first female winemakers in French history.

Louise Pommery revolutionized champagne by creating the first dry (brut) champagne in 1874, which changed the tastes of all Europe. But her innovative spirit went beyond winemaking.

In 1868, she embarked on the “project of the century” – transforming ancient Gallo-Roman chalk quarries beneath the hill of Saint-Nicaise into wine cellars. French and Belgian miners dug 18 km of tunnels at a depth of 30 meters, creating ideal conditions for aging champagne (10°C and 98% humidity).

However, Madame Pommery did not stop there. Inspired by ancient cave reliefs, she decided that her underground spaces should carry not only functional but also aesthetic value.

Watercolor painting of Villa Demoiselle

«Historic Art Nouveau villa belonging to Domaine Pommery»

Pommery House Collection

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«A staircase with 116 steps leading to underground galleries»

Light installation transforms passage into colorful art space

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Wine Bottle Gallery»

The names of world cities such as Manchester denote galleries named after conquered markets

The First Artworks in Pommery’s Underground

In 1882, Louise Pommery commissioned sculptor Gustave Navlet to create grand bas-reliefs that would adorn the walls of the underground galleries.

Pommery’s Bas-Reliefs: Art in Eternal Twilight

Over two years, Navlet created:

• “Silène” (1884) – a scene with the mythological character Silenus, the tutor of Dionysus, surrounded by bacchantes.

• “Fête de Bacchus” – an allegory of the five senses.

• “Les Maraudeurs” – a scene with ancient Roman warriors.

• “Un souper sous la Régence” – reflecting the sophistication of the 18th century.

Working in complete darkness by candlelight was so challenging that one of Navlet’s assistants went blind. Today, these bas-reliefs are recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage and inspire contemporary artists creating new installations for Pommery.

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Bas-relief 'Un souper sous la Régence' by Gustave Navlet (1883)»

Complemented by a contemporary installation by Felipe Oliveira Batista

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Giant Golden Lotus “Golden Flower” by Choi Jeong Hwa»

His “breath” symbolizes the meditative rhythm of life

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Installation of metal structures in the underground galleries of Pommery»

Light and shadows create the effect of a mysterious forest

The Modern Era of Pommery Art: EXPERIENCE POMMERY

Since 2003, Domaine Vranken-Pommery has officially transformed its underground galleries into an annual art space called EXPERIENCE POMMERY.

Each year, international artists are invited to create unique installations inspired by history, space, and champagne. Over 20 years, more than 500 artists have exhibited here, including Daniel Buren, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Fabrice Hyber, Tadashi Kawamata, and many others.

What remains unchanged?

Although the exhibition changes every year, some works become permanent parts of the galleries.

Permanent Installations:

• “Würsa à 18 000 km de la Terre” (2008) – a giant sculpture by Daniel Firman, depicting an elephant balancing in the air.

• “Silène” and other bas-reliefs by Gustave Navlet – unchanging witnesses of history.

• “Infinite Light” (2014) by Laurent Grasso – a neon light installation creating the sensation of an “eternal day”.

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Sculptural relief “Silène”»

Work by Gustave Navlet (1884)

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Elephant “Würsa à 18,000 km de la Terre”»

Work by Daniel Firman

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«One of the bas-reliefs»

Soft daylight pours from a shaft that reaches into the sky

This Year’s Exhibition: EXPERIENCE POMMERY #18 “MÉLODIES EN SOUS-SOL”

The “Mélodies en sous-sol” exhibition at the House of Pommery is not just an exposition but an immersion into the world of art, music, and history. It takes place in the underground galleries of the Pommery winery in Reims from January 21 to September 20, 2025. The underground spaces, created during Roman times, have been transformed into a venue for contemporary art, where sound, light, architecture, and champagne converge.

The exhibition’s curator is Fabrice Bousteau. The main concept is the fusion of music and art, where artworks interact with sound, creating a unique underground symphony.

Underground galleries of the Pommery House

«Wine cellar 'Principauté de Monaco'»

Collectible bottles of champagne are kept here.

Part of the Pommery estate

«Villa Demoiselle»

Interior of Villa Demoiselle

The author in the interior of Villa Demoiselle

«Lorem ipsum»

With champagne in a bathtub filled with bottles

Artists and Their Works

Garden Area

• Lilian Bourgeat – “Vaisseau de jardin” (giant watering can)

• Jacqueline Dauriac – “Un cœur pour…” (inflatable heart)

• Luka Fineisen – “Awakening” (airborne feathers in Plexiglas)

• Jean-François Fourtou – “Sans titre, Maxitos” (figures of giants and gnomes)

• Joana Vasconcelos – “Pop Champagne” (installation of champagne bottles)

• Alain Passard – “Fouet” (giant whisk)

Underground Galleries

• Genesis Belanger – “Donna” (ceramic sculpture)

• Elisabetta Benassi – “Mimetica” (artificial palm)

• Michel de Broin – “Tubulus I, III” (organic pipes)

• Anne-Charlotte Finel – “Respiro, Sol” (video projection works)

• Encoreunestp – “#papillonsdansleventre” (interactive butterflies)

• Bertrand Gadenne – “Le Hibou” (video with an owl)

• Laurent Grasso – “Infinite Light” (neon installation)

• Eftychia Kazouka – “Flower Power” (macro photographs of flowers)

• Klara Kristalova – “All my Thoughts” (ceramic figures)

• Angelica Mesiti – “Sidereal” (video performance)

• Pablo Reinoso – “Falling Wall” (metallic structure)

• Poompuhar (Ayappa KM & Arun Nura) – video work about a sunken city

• Felipe Oliveira Baptista – “Ivresse” (drawings on stelae)

• Soundwalk Collective & Patti Smith – “The Runoff” (video about glaciers)

• Yoshiki – concert composition “Forever Love”

Official Website: https://www.vrankenpommery.com/en/

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