A look back at our Panthéon Induction Anniversary Ceremony for Joséphine
Pictured: La villa Beau-Chêne (Maison Joséphine Baker) in Le Vésinet, France
Photo: Rick Alarcon Photography
Beyond our Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site initiative, our French-American team has been committed to offering cultural, commemorative, and educational experiences honoring Joséphine for French, American, and international communities.
This past Sunday, November 30th, with the combined efforts of the town of Vésinet, the Fondation pour le Vésinet, the Société d’Histoire du Vésinet, Brian Scott Bagley of the Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendants de Paris, and John Lander of the Opéra de Paris and Opéra de Lyon, the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site team (Founder and Project Manager Alice Fennelly) organized the first-ever ceremony in Le Vésinet to celebrate Baker’s Pantheon induction at her former residence, the villa Beau-Chêne, in Le Vésinet, France.
Pictured (Left to Right): Jon Lander, François Glück, Alice Fennelly, Didier Guérémy, Brian Scott Bagley
Photo: Rick Alarcon Photography
As Baker’s villa is privately owned and historically open only one day a year for European Heritage Days, our teams, with the generosity of the property’s owner, were able to provide a truly unique and exceptional event, opening the doors once again to the French-American icon’s 1929-1947 estate to a record 350+ attendees.
Pictured: The front gates of the villa Beau-Chêne before the event
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
Pictured: Alice Fennelly organizing tour groups for guided visits of the estate
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
The evening started with free guided tours of the villa’s gardens offered by the Société d’Histoire du Vésinet and additional volunteer support from Nawo Crawford of Black Paris Tours. With 77 guests registered through the town hall and supplementary guide support planned in case of extra visitors, we were able to give 140 people an educational tour experience as they traced the footsteps of Joséphine Baker, her manager and partner Pepito Abatino, and her beloved pet and stage sidekick, Chiquita the cheetah.
Pictured: Tour groups run by the Société d’Histoire du Vésinet and Nawo Crawford of Black Paris Tours
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
At the conclusion of the tours, visitors had the chance to visit our stand and learn more about the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site, to be installed and unveiled in September 2026 for European Heritage Days if funding permits. Guests discovered the miniature maquette of the concept, Timeless Grace, which will feature life-sized bronze sculptures of Joséphine, Chiquita, and objects that represent her accomplishments as she lived in the villa, becoming Europe’s biggest star, a WWII Resistance spy, a pilot for the Red Cross and French Armed Forces, and an active and admired member of the Vésinet Community. With half of the project funding still left to raise, your generous support will help ensure we can bring this public art to life for generations to come.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation here today.
Pictured: Visitors looking at the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site booth
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
As the sun set over the villa Beau-Chêne, speeches were given by Alice Fennelly, Founder and Project Manager of the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site, François Gluck, President of the Fondation pour le Vésinet, and Didier Guérémy, 4th Deputy Mayor in charge of cultural life, neighborhood councils, sister cities, and general affairs, discussing her innumerous accomplishments and the importance of her being inducted into the Pantheon as the first Black woman, the first American-born French citizen and the first entertainer to receive the French state's ultimate honor.
Pictured: Above: Alice Fennelly, Below (Left): Alice Fennelly, Below (Middle) François Gluck, Below (Right): Didier Guérémy
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
The night continued with a musical performance by John Lander of the Opéra de Paris and the Opéra de Lyon, joined by Brian Scott Bagley singing in homage of Joséphine and enthusiastically engaging audiences of all ages.
Pictured: Above: John Lander, Below (First): Brian Scott Bagley, Below (Second): John Lander, Below (Third): Alice Fennelly and Brian Scott Bagley, Below (Fourth): Brian Scott Bagley
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
To conclude the evening, visitors got a surprise speech and song from Ghislaine and Daniel Valcin, siblings who performed with Joséphine during her last performances at Paris’ Bobino Theater.
Pictured: Above: Ghislaine Valcin, Daniel Valcin, Alice Fennelly, François Gluck, Below (Left): Daniel Valcin and Alice Fennelly, Below (Middle): Ghislaine Valcin, Below (Right): Ghislaine Valcin, Daniel Valcin, Alice Fennelly, François Gluck, Brian Scott Bagley
Photos: Rick Alarcon Photography
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed and came to the event. For those who were not able to get a guided tour as we experienced unprecedented arrivals, thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologize to those who registered and were not able to get the experience anticipated. With further support from the town of Le Vésinet, la Fondation pour le Vésinet, and the Société d’Histoire du Vésinet in the future, we hope to be able to offer your even better experiences in Joséphine’s honor for years to come.
