conservation

collections

The Centre des Monuments Nationaux does not merely preserve monuments: it also ensures the preservation of collections of great richness and diversity, comprising a wide variety of works of art, objects and decorative elements.

Preserving and showcasing the collections

The collections housed in national monuments constitute a heritage of exceptional richness and diversity. Inventorying, verification, preventive conservation, research and promotion all contribute to our understanding and preservation of these collections. 

From collections of paintings to Asian artefacts, including unusual and little-known objects, they tell the story of the monuments and those who once lived there.

The ‘collectio’ database

The Collectio database isatool for the inventory and management of collectionsheld within the national monuments network. Inventories of movable objects are entered into the database during on-site inventory or verification campaigns. 

Collectio providesthe collection inventory and verification unit, as well as all staff at the organisation,with a sustainable and consistent information system enabling the management and conservation of cultural assets in collaboration with the monuments, whilst facilitating access to inventory records. 

Using the Collectio inventory database, a dedicated website showcasing the collections of certain heritage sites is available for the public and researchers to browse. Discover the database!

The National Monuments’ collections

Authors

Morwena Joly-Parvex

Heritage Curator