Heatwaves Threaten Artworks: French Museums Adapt Conservation Practices
With summer temperatures soaring to 40°C in France, museums are implementing conservation measures to protect delicate collections. Marie Courselaud from C2RMF emphasizes that paper and photography are more susceptible to damage than sculptures, with ivory being more vulnerable than marble. Immediate threats include deformation, while mold and insects pose long-term risks. Institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay and Orangerie utilize air-conditioned spaces, whereas the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec maintains a stable climate throughout the year. The Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac encounters difficulties due to its glass facades, prompting conservators to enhance temperature monitoring for "Plumes du paradis." Smaller venues like the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Paul-Éluard, which lack air conditioning, resort to survival blankets. Since 2023, C2RMF has experienced a rise in assistance requests, yet only 60-70% of museums have temperature sensors. There is no national strategy from the Ministry of Culture, and museum budgets are set to decrease by 6% in 2026.
Key facts
- Summer temperatures in France reached 40°C.
- Marie Courselaud is a preventive conservation specialist at C2RMF.
- Paper and photography are more fragile than sculpture; ivory more at risk than marble.
- Short-term damage includes deformation (tuilage); long-term risks include mold and insects.
- Musée d'Orsay and Orangerie have air-conditioned galleries.
- Musée Toulouse-Lautrec maintains controlled climate year-round.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon uses specific display cases for fragile works.
- Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac has glass facades by Jean Nouvel.
- For 'Plumes du paradis' exhibition, a sensitive work was moved to stable conditions.
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Paul-Éluard uses survival blankets and whitewash on windows.
- Since 2023, C2RMF has seen increased requests from museums during heatwaves.
- Only 60-70% of museums have temperature sensors.
- C2RMF developed best-practice guides for heatwave response.
- No national plan exists from the Ministry of Culture.
- Museum budgets cut by 6% in 2026 (about 25 million euros less).
- Regional credits down 6% in 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Jean Nouvel
Institutions
- Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (C2RMF)
- Musée d'Orsay
- Orangerie
- Musée Toulouse-Lautrec
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
- Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Paul-Éluard
- Ministère de la Culture
Locations
- France
- Albi
- Dijon
- Saint-Denis
- Paris