Thursdays at the Villa: Nelson Monfort—From Encounters to Legends

He joined France Télévisions in 1988 and became one of the leading interviewers at major sporting events: the Olympic Games, Roland Garros, track and field, and figure skating. A polyglot, he made a name for himself through his interviews with the world’s greatest athletes: Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, as well as Marie Pierce, Colette Besson, and François Cevert. Over dinner, Nelson Monfort shares with us the highlights of his career—from behind-the-scenes glimpses of the sports world and the Olympic Games (having covered 16 editions of the Games since Barcelona in 1992, meeting legendary athletes such as Usain Bolt and Teddy Riner—or anecdotes drawn from unforgettable personal encounters. It’s an opportunity to look back with emotion and humor on his iconic interviews, the bonds he’s forged with athletes, and the values of freedom of expression, pushing one’s limits, and intergenerational transmission that are dear to him. Not to mention his two recent stage projects: *Ça patine à Tokyo*—a self-deprecating comedy-thriller with Philippe Candeloro, in which they both poke fun at their public images—and, in a radically different vein, *Nelson Monfort Tells the Story of Jean Ferrat*—an intimate musical talk show in which the host declares his love for poetry, life, and the iconic singer’s social causes. The evening includes: - Champagne reception - Themed talk - Dinner at Restaurant Béatrice prepared by Chef Myriam Barda