Cirque d'Hiver's Rediscovered Frescoes and Grand Restoration Plan

The Cirque d'Hiver in Paris, owned by the Bouglione family since 1934, is undergoing a major restoration after architect Stéphane Millet discovered forgotten frescoes by Félix-Joseph Barrias (1822–1907) and Nicolas Gosse (1787–1878) in February 2026. The frescoes, covered by layers of canvas and panels, depict equestrian arts through the ages. Sixteen survive, measuring about six meters wide by two meters high; four are missing. The restoration, led by Atelier Arcoa, will cost at least €600,000 and take one to one and a half years, with completion expected by 2027 or 2028. The building, a monument historique since 1975, is the last surviving permanent circus from the 19th century. Future phases include restoring the dome, stucco capitals, and stained glass, aiming to return the circus to its 1852 appearance by 2030. The circus operates year-round except summer, limiting work to July. Funding will require private support, and the family is acting like a public institution, holding a competition for restoration. Louis Sampion Bouglione maintains a private collection of 1,700 costumes and archives, and organizes a traveling exhibition on 19th-century equestriennes.