Nature, the eternal muse, is back in full force, but in 2025, it's no longer content to simply inspire; it acts, it performs, it asserts itself. This spring, once again, the living world is making its way into every level of creation. Plants are no longer mere decoration; they are the driving force: vegetable gardens are taking center stage in fashion houses, trees are influencing the palette of a star painter, and the revelation of the next Cannes Film Festival might just have petals… Yes, a dandelion. An ode to renewal, this new generation of " flower power " is permeating every field of art. A sensitive stroll through these gardens of ideas.

A film: Dandelions by Momoko Seto

Where? At Critics' Week, during the Cannes Film Festival.

Why? To close Critics' Week on May 21, don't miss " Planets ," the captivating film by Momoko Seto, a science filmmaker at the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). Screened as the closing film of Critics' Week, this ecological and sensory tale follows the journey of four dandelion seeds, survivors of nuclear explosions, in search of fertile soil. A breathtaking odyssey into a world invisible to the naked eye, where matter lives, struggles, and mutates. Through this microscopic fable, Seto also traces the geological evolution of the Earth, from the Ice Age to the present day, a present where the soil, though essential, seems relegated to the background.

An exhibition: David Hockney's The Bocage

Where? The Louis Vuitton Foundation in the Bois de Boulogne.

Why? While this retrospective, the largest ever devoted to his work, showcases a wide range of subjects, from his iconic swimming pools to opera sets (nearly 400 canvases in total), David Hockney's new favorite subject is particularly striking. Having settled in Normandy a few years ago, the most French of British artists has traded Californian blues for the soft greens of the countryside. At 87, still at the forefront of his craft, he captures on his iPad the crispness of apple trees or the golden hues of moonlight. He makes us fall in love with the Norman countryside like no one else… even in the rain. “ Do remember they can't cancel the Spring ,” until September. More information at fondationlouisvuitton.fr

A festival: Contemporary art in Chaumont-sur-Loire

Where? In Chaumont-sur-Loire, in the castle gardens.

Why? There's no better vantage point than this annual event on the banks of the Loire to capture the subtle interplay between contemporary art and nature. Even before its renowned Garden Festival opens, Chaumont-sur-Loire sets the tone with its " 2025 Art Season ." Sixteen artists have been invited, including Fabienne Verdier, Claire Trotignon, Yann Lacroix, Nicolas Alquin, and the duo G&K. The estate comes alive: paintings, drawings, videos, and prints take over the park and château in a joyful swarm of creations. A vibrant edition to explore until November. More information at domaine-chaumont.fr

A poet: The poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé

Where? The Stéphane Mallarmé Departmental Museum, in Vulaines-sur-Seine, in the Ile-de-France region.

Why? After a year and a half of silence, the Maison du Poète (Poet's House) is reopening its doors this May on the bustling banks of the Seine. Bathed in light and greenery, the house unveils an enhanced visitor experience, like a new chapter in its story. It was here that Stéphane Mallarmé, the author of " La Brise Marine " (The Sea Breeze), fell in love with the landscape: a simple house, embraced by a " little garden bursting with hollyhocks ," watched over by free-growing fruit trees. He lived here for several years, welcoming visiting friends to this bucolic haven. The inaugural exhibition, " Entre fleuve et fleurs " (Between River and Flowers), celebrates the poet's profound love for nature, between the lapping of the river and the rustling of leaves. More information at musee-mallarme.fr

A hub: The 19M Plot

Where? At 19 M, the Chanel crafts district, at the Porte d'Aubervilliers.

Why? Alongside the embroiderers, feather workers, shoemakers, glovemakers, and other exceptional artisans based at 19M, a new generation of residents has occupied the space since last spring: earthworms, discreet but essential inhabitants of La Parcelle—a cultural garden that sprang up a year ago. This hybrid space has since blossomed into a flower farm, a productive vegetable garden, a light-filled greenhouse, and a playground. On May 17 and 18, the Grand Spring Festival takes place: two joyful days celebrating life in all its forms. And every Sunday, workshops offer introductions to green skills: plant-based screen printing, organic ceramics, and more. More information at le19m.com/parcelle