A new public park dedicated to internationally renowned sculptor Jean Fréour and his wife Soazik officially opened its doors to the public on August 8, 2025, in Batz-sur-Mer, France. The park, located at the couple's former residence, features a specially commissioned sculpture by artist Aymeric Louvet that pays tribute to the artistic legacy of the Fréour couple.

Jean Fréour, born in Nantes in 1919, was a sculptor of international acclaim who trained at the Fine Arts School of Bordeaux and later became a resident at Casa de Velázquez in Madrid in 1952. He settled in Batz-sur-Mer in 1955 with his wife Soazik, who served as his muse, and lived there until his death in 2010. The couple's property, situated in the heart of the village, was purchased by the municipality in 2021 with the vision of transforming it into a cultural destination.

After 18 months of renovation work, the estate's park has been converted into a public space that residents and visitors can now enjoy. "Everyone knew Jean Fréour as an artist - he was truly a personality of Batz-sur-Mer," explained Marie-Catherine Lehuédé, mayor of Batz-sur-Mer. "But since everything was well-closed and confined, nobody had access to the property except his friends. People are eager to be able to claim this place for themselves, to settle there, and to enjoy the exhibitions that will take place."

The centerpiece of the new park is a yellow granite sculpture created by Aymeric Louvet, an artist originally from Dinan. The artwork depicts Jean and Soazik Fréour sitting together on a bench in the heart of their beloved park. "I wanted to represent the couple in their garden," Louvet explained. "The sculptor working, since he devoted his life to sculpture. Soazik holds a flower behind her back as she gazes at her garden. It's really the fusion of the couple, merged in granite, but at the same time each has their freedom. She has her garden, and he is at his task - sculpture."

Jean Fréour was recognized as a major artist of the 20th century and a master of figurative and religious art. Throughout his career, he worked with various materials including granite, wood, marble, blue schist, and bronze. Described as a genius of form, he fulfilled numerous public commissions while constantly questioning and evolving his artistic practice. Among his most notable works is the sculpture of Anne of Brittany at the entrance to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes.

Many of Fréour's works remain visible throughout the Loire-Atlantique region, including "La Porteresse" at the entrance of the Intercommunal Museum of Salt Marshes in Batz-sur-Mer. His artistic legacy continues to inspire visitors and art enthusiasts who can now experience his former home and creative environment firsthand.

The municipality has ambitious plans for the newly opened cultural site, with additional developments already under consideration. Future projects include the creation of an artist residency program and the transformation of Fréour's former workshop into an exhibition space, which will further cement the location's role as a significant cultural destination in the region.