9th Annual NextGen Conference
25. – 27. 04. 2025, France, Villefranche-Sur-Saône
From April 25th to 27th, the Beaujolais region welcomed young heritage owners and professionals for the 9th edition of the EHH NextGen Annual Conference, hosted in partnership with La Demeure Historique. Set in and around Villefranche-sur-Saône, the event offered a rich mix of dialogue, discovery, and celebration anchored in the theme of biodiversity and sustainability.
The weekend began with a warm welcome at La Maison Vermorel, a beautifully restored early 20th-century villa. Participants heard from regional leaders and explored the site’s cultural and culinary spaces, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in heritage and innovation.
Saturday’s conference took place at the medieval Château de Cypierre, where speakers shared inspiring projects that connect historic preservation with ecological responsibility. From rose gardens and biodiversity labels to apiaries and sustainable guesthouses, the stories reflected a growing movement to position heritage estates as models for environmental stewardship.
On Saturday evening, guests gathered at Château Saint Trys for a black-tie gala, featuring the annual NextGen Prize ceremony (you can read about it here). The setting, with views of the Alps in the background, provided a fitting close to a day of learning and exchange.
The event concluded on Sunday with a visit to the wine estate Château de La Chaize, which offered a final taste of the region’s deep cultural roots and ongoing evolution.
With its balance of heritage, sustainability, and connection, the 2025 conference offered a vibrant snapshot of the future of Europe’s historic estates—dynamic, collaborative, and deeply engaged with the world around them.
