The completion of repairs to Notre-Dame cathedral following the devastating fire in 2019 is just one of a number of exciting developments in France’s historic monument portfolio this year.
For the first time, the ramparts of the citadel of Carcassonne in Aude will be fully opened to the public, as will the trésor de la cathédrale de Chartres, in Centre-Val de Loire, after a seven-year long restoration project.
Read more: Full tour of Carcassone’s medieval ramparts to open for the first time
All of these special places are cared for in some way by the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN).
Over a hundred years since the creation of this organisation, its mission to conserve, restore and protect historic monuments across France remains firm.
It oversees 110 monuments and gardens, ranging from pre-history to the 20th century – 19 of which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Millions of visitors
A public establishment managed under the Ministry of Culture and funded by the state, the CMN welcomes more than 11 million visitors per year to sites under its care.
The importance of preserving monuments was publicly declared in 1830 when the Ministry of Interior proposed an official position of inspector of historical monuments, with the writer and historian Prosper Mérimée playing an integral role in championing this.
Mérimée travelled around France creating an inventory of ancient sites and mediaeval buildings, later entrusting architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, to restore the city of Carcassonne, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and the Château de Pierrefonds in Oise.
A new law was implemented in 1887 to protect works that present, “an interest from the point of view of history, art or archaeology.”
Protecting the nation's heritage
It ensured that any listed monument could not be destroyed or moved, and that any maintenance, repair, restoration or modification to it was subject to ministerial agreement.
This was firmly supported by the December 31, 1913 law on historic monuments, which prompted the creation of the Caisse nationale des monuments historiques et préhistoriques on July 10, 1914.
Set up to finance the purchase of listed monuments and support restoration projects, it initially relied on donations and bequests, although it quickly became evident that more income was needed and the organisation introduced an admission charge to the monuments under its care in 1922.
Restoration projects
Soon, alongside archaeological and prehistoric sites, medieval abbeys, fortified castles, modern villas and cathedral towers, it included other historical sites, such as the forêt de Paimpont in Ille-et-Vilaine, and the term ‘et des sites’ was tacked onto the name.
After World War Two, greater financial support was needed and cultural programs were introduced to attract more visitors to help sustain its purpose.
By decree on April 21, 2000, it became the Centre des monuments nationaux and today it has more than 50 restoration projects in progress, and is working with 1,470 partners. School visits can reach 360,000 per year and cultural programs take place year round.
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Many CMN buildings will see their profile further enhanced as Paris plays host to the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
The Olympic Flame, for example, passed close to several on its journey towards the capital, including the Château d'If off the coast of Marseille, the Château d'Angers, Chartres Cathedral and the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts.
Special exhibit
Meanwhile, the Panthéon, managed by CMN and resting place to some of France’s greatest citizens including Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Marie Curie and Resistance hero Jean Moulin, is providing the backdrop for a special exhibition on the Paralympics.
Curated by Anne Marcellini and Sylvain Ferez, it retraces the history of the Games and the heroes of today who are striving for a more inclusive society.
“I think the Panthéon was interested in this exhibition because it has been interested in diversity for some time,” explained Mr Ferez.
Among the displays are archive posters, photographs and sports equipment, beginning in 1948 when sport was used by people who had been injured in the war.
“The final milestone is 2012 and the London Games,” said Mr Ferez, because for us, that's really when the Paralympic Games took off, from a media point of view and in terms of visibility.”
Read more: Can you name the seven women honoured in France’s Pantheon?
The Pantheon, he added, is a perfect backdrop to the story.
“Among inductees to the Panthéon are Joséphine Baker – noted for her contributions to the civil rights movement – and Louis Braille, who invented the tactile system of reading for blind people.
“So the Panthéon has a very universalist tradition. I think that for some time now it has opened up to diversity; women, people from the colonies, people with disabilities, was something that interested the Panthéon, which is also a place for people who have fought for emancipation and inclusion.”
History, inclusion, diversity and a collective movement. Prosper Mérimée would be proud.
Histoires paralympiques. De l’intégration sportive à l’inclusion sociale (1948-2024) is at the Panthéon until September 29, 2024.Find out more about the CMN at monuments-nationaux.fr
