Art Basel’s ‘Meet the collectors’ film series celebrates today’s most inspiring patrons

The brainchild of French collector Garance Primat, Domaine des Etangs is a place like no other. In the 13th-century estate turned art destination – spread across 1,000 hectares of unspoiled Charente countryside between Limoges and Angoulême – contemporary art pulses through ancient stones and sprawling landscapes.

‘I think art has a magic to it and that, like nature, it is a universal language,’ she says. These days, the dragonfly serves as her emblem – ‘a symbol of harmony with natural ecosystems,’ the collector explains – guiding her on a journey that has led her to acquire works by the likes of Alicja Kwade, Lee Ufan, and Richard Long, among many others. Primat is keen to emphasize that collecting isn’t about possession – it’s about connection. ‘Beauty needs to be shared,’ she says.  

The Domaine des Etangs is a space where art exists in harmony with its surroundings, reflecting Primat’s belief that ‘everything comes from nature and returns to it. It’s what I call a place of inspiration, perfect for creation and creativity. That’s why, here at the estate, we display both contemporary and timeless art.’