NewsArt market
French galleries sue state over Covid-19 closure
The gallery association CPGA is going to court, claiming its members are “victims of a distortion of competition” as auction houses are allowed to stay open
NewsProtest art
Protest artist arrested in Paris after trying to enter presidential grounds with fake Molotov cocktail
Alexei Kuzmich, who is known for performances critiquing the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, warned France is also “slipping into fascism” and accused president Emmanuel Macron of punishing dissenters
NewsMemorials
France's planned slavery memorial on hold over debate about naming 200,000 freed slaves
Shortlisted proposals by artists including Adrian Piper, Julien Creuzet and duo Sammy Baloji and Emeka Ogboh did not adequately adhere to the requirements, campaign group says
NewsCentre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou plans to show 120,000 works 'as much as possible' around France during three-year closure
While Paris museum undergoes renovations, Europe's biggest modern and contemporary art collection will go on tour—keeping curators employed
NewsMuseums
Musée d’Orsay in Paris renamed after late French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
The formal name change—an administrative move—also means the Muséee de l’Orangerie will be rebranded
NewsVisitor Figures 2020
Curate-it-yourself: French museums take to social media to ask the public what they want to see in their galleries
Spurred on by the pandemic, several institutions are inviting art lovers to choose works for display
NewsAppointments & departures
Succession: critics take aim at Louvre chief Jean-Luc Martinez as he seeks reappointment
French president Emmanuel Macron will decide whether to renew or replace the museum's director in the coming weeks
Newscoronavirus
French culture minister hospitalised after contracting Covid-19
Roselyne Bachelot's condition is "stable and not worrying"
NewsLuma Arles
Frank Gehry’s twisting tower for Luma Arles to open its doors in June
Patron Maja Hoffmann is driving the ambitious cultural project in southern France
NewsArt market
Newly attributed Bernini drawing up for auction in France
Actéon auctioneers expect the 17th-century study of a male nude, authenticated by Ann Sutherland Harris and Louis de Bayser, to sell for €30,000 to €50,000
NewsArt market
After a stormy few years, Paris Biennale is laid to rest
The long-running French event will be replaced by a new art, antiques and luxury crafts fair at the end of November
NewsCopyright
Musée Rodin could be forced to release 3D scans of bronze sculptures—including The Thinker—to the public
Cosmo Wenman made a freedom of information request for the files and is taking the museum to court because it turned him down
NewsTechnology
Pushing the envelope: new technology reads 300-year-old letter without opening it
X-rays and computer algorithms preserve the complicated technique of letterlocking, which turn writing paper into envelope
NewsDesign
Richard Rogers-designed drawing gallery hangs dramatically off a French hillside
One of the architect’s final commissions before his retirement is the newest addition to the art- and architecture-studded Chateau La Coste vineyard in southern France
NewsMuseums
Far-right mayor reopens four museums in southern France—without government’s permission
Although national museums are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Perpignan's Musée Rigaud, Casa Pairal, Musée Puig and the museum of natural history are open to the public again
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Museum revolution: 100 French directors call for 'essential' reopening
Petition urges culture minister to lift coronavirus restrictions on museums and galleries so they can "take care of visitors now"
NewsControversies
Amid child sexual abuse accusations, Paris authorities turn off Claude Lévêque light sculptures
The French artist is under police investigation over claims that he abused minors under the age of 15
NewsControversies
Kamel Mennour gallery's representation of Claude Lévêque suspended after allegations of abuse of minors
According to French media reports, a police investigation has been launched into violations dating back to the 1970s
NewsPrizes
Lithium mining and a Donald Judd horror film: nominees for Prix Marcel Duchamp—France's most prestigious contemporary art award—announced
The four artists will have their work exhibited at the Centre Pompidou in Paris for the prize, worth €35,000
NewsParis
Champs Élysées—one of Paris’s most polluted roads—to be transformed into ‘extraordinary garden’
The major avenue will undergo a €250m makeover to restore its former splendour, following the 2024 Summer Olympics
NewsMuseums
Opening of Pinault's Bourse de Commerce postponed as French museums told to remain closed
Scheduled to reopen this week, cultural institutions must keep their doors shut after an increase in Covid-19 cases
NewsArt market
French High Court orders retrial of Wildenstein art dynasty tax fraud case
Guy Wildenstein and his nephew were accused of hiding assets worth hundreds of millions but were acquitted in 2017 and 2018—now they are wanted back in court for a third trial
NewsRestitution
Congolese activist who tried to seize an artefact from the Louvre is fined €5,000
Mwazulu Diyabanza says that “museums do not deserve respect” as restitution debate intensifies
NewsRestitution
French restitution bill passes final hurdle in parliament
Vote by National Assembly paves the way for the return of 27 colonial-era artefacts to Benin and Senegal within one year, but “will not create a legal precedent”
NewsRestitution
French Senate and government lock horns on restitution
Deputies rejected senators' proposal for a national council to advise the government on future restitution claims
NewsAmedeo Modigliani
Revealed: the secrets behind Antonia, Modigliani’s ‘most complex work’
Researchers at C2RMF give an exclusive preview of their forensic study of all the artist's works in French museum collections
NewsMuseums
French museums dismayed as reopening pushed to 7 January
Three-week delay caused by rising cases of coronavirus in the country
NewsCensorship
Censored work showing faces of 4,000 French police officers goes on show in Berlin
Work was pulled after the intervention of France's interior minister amid protests against a new bill that would have criminalised the publication of images of law enforcement
NewsArt market
Collection of Balthus drawings and paintings to be sold for €1.2m—so why no mention of his infatuation with pubescent girls?
The works are from the estate of the artist’s teenage “muse and model” Frédérique Tison, who was also his step-niece
NewsRestitution
French Senate votes unanimously for restitution to Benin and Senegal in 'act of friendship and trust'
Senate approves bill to return 27 colonial-era artefacts from museum collections to Africa within one year
NewsSaudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia continues relentless cultural drive with Jean Nouvel subterranean desert resort
The plans are part of a ten-year agreement between France and Saudi Arabia to develop the AlUla region into a tourism destination
NewsMuseums
Louvre and French museums close, while German museums await clarity in second coronavirus lockdown
Closing German museums would be “a hard blow for the institutions and society,” the country's museums association says
NewsFrance
Congolese activist fined €1,000 for trying to seize African funeral pole from Paris museum
Emery Mwazulu Diyabanza and the other activists who removed the object from display at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac say their actions are a protest against colonial looting
NewsRestitution
France’s National Assembly votes to return colonial-era artefacts to Benin and Senegal
Accelerated bill enabling restitution of 27 objects from French museums passes first vote in parliament
NewsAfrican art
Trial of Quai Branly protestors in Paris centres on ‘political’ aspect of activist action
Court erupts after attendee shouts that African funeral pole "belongs to us"
NewsRestitution
France ordered to return three Derain paintings to heirs of Jewish dealer René Gimpel
Ruling by Paris court of appeal sets an important precedent for pending restitution claim over 16 paintings in French museum collections
NewsFashion
How about an €8m Chanel makeover? Paris fashion museum reopens with help of luxury brand
Palais Galliera opens its doors during a hybrid physical and digital Paris fashion week with a major Chanel exhibition
NewsMuseums
Plans for world's biggest Picasso museum in south of France scuppered
Aix-en-Provence city council says that sale fell through after negotiations with artist’s stepdaughter broke down
NewsOpenings
Pack your goggles! France to open three underwater sculpture parks this autumn
Visitors will need to swim to see new exhibits submerged off the coast of Corsica, Marseille and Cannes
NewsHeritage
Vandals smash statue of Mary Magdalene in French chapel—apparently because she is naked
A note was left at the scene by the perpetrators saying they “did not accept” that the saint should be “represented in such a way”
News
French photographers demand President Macron puts his arts pandemic plan into practice
Signatories say that a ‘new deal’ is needed in France, enabling photojournalists to document the epidemic
NewsDisasters & destruction
Security questions remain after Nantes cathedral blaze: 'There's no European country where church fires are this common'
An arson investigation has been launched into the fire at the Gothic St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in western France
NewsRestitution
France takes first legal step towards restitutions to Benin and Senegal as cabinet examines new law
Twenty-six objects looted from Abomey Palace to return to Benin, Omar Tall’s sword to be transferred to Senegal
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Notre Dame's spire to be rebuilt the way it was—but use of lead likely to spark new controversy
French President Macron makes u-turn after first suggesting the 19th-century spire, which was destroyed in the fire last year, should be replaced by a contemporary design
NewsMuseums
Musée Rodin in Paris casts new bronzes to offset losses from Covid-19 crisis
With an estimated shortfall of €4.4m in revenue, the museum is looking to "increase the offer and opportunities for sales to new markets"
NewsFrance
Roselyne Bachelot is France’s new culture minister
The former health and ecology minister shares a passion for opera with newly appointed Prime Minister Jean Castex
InterviewAppointments & departures
'The show must go on': new Rencontres d’Arles director promises 'less is more' approach after pandemic scuppers this year's edition
Head-hunted from Paris Photo, Christoph Wiesner will begin role as Luma Foundation officially opens its headquarters in the French city
NewsArt market
American collector to sue France over restitution of $1.7m Pissarro painting
Real estate developer Bruce Toll claims compensation after French High court confirms return of Pissarro's Pea Harvest to heirs of collector Simon Bauer
NewsAntiquities & Archaeology
Paris dealer who sold golden sarcophagus to New York’s Metropolitan Museum charged with fraud and money laundering
The work was returned to Egypt last year after officials were shown evidence it might have been looted during the Arab Spring in 2011
NewsAntiquities
Former Louvre curator among five arrested in Paris in antiquities trafficking investigation
Case involves "hundreds of objects worth millions" looted from the Near and Middle East
NewsMonuments
Artist of African descent must create France's new slavery memorial, campaign group says
Culture ministry launches open call for monument that will be sited near the Musée du Louvre
NewsMuseums
French museums reveal plans to re-open in June and July
Louvre is "is working towards a planned reopening on 6 July" with strict rules for social distancing and 70% of the museum open to the public
Newscoronavirus
Five European museum directors explain their reopening strategies
From capped visitor numbers to surgical gloves and temperature checks, here's how cultural institutions are getting ready to leave lockdown
NewsArt market
Strong sales as France restarts live auctions
Artcurial, the first auction house to reopen, doubled its sale estimate as lockdown seems to have "sharpened" buyers' appetite
NewsBiennials & festivals
‘In two and a half years, who knows where the world will be’—Lyon Biennale curators reveal why exhibition was pushed back from 2021 to 2022
Pressure on resources play a part as well as ethical issues in the wake of coronavirus
NewsFrance
Amidst fierce criticism, Emmanuel Macron announces plans to help France's culture sector during the pandemic
French president says artists will be invited into schools and asked to create new commissions, but many art professionals say it is not enough
NewsControversies
Director of France’s national furniture collection defends plans to sell 100 items at auction to aid healthcare workers
Move prompts fears that works from national museum collections could be sold off too
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Lockdown drives digital boom at French museums—but where's the business model?
Podcasts, social media channels and virtual exhibitions are experiencing unprecedented traffic but do not make up for lost revenue
Newscoronavirus
French galleries and 'small museums' to reopen in stages from 11 May
Larger museums are unlikely to be accessible until June
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Germany offers help in restoring Notre Dame's stained-glass windows
German cathedral glass workshops have the expertise and experience necessary to undertake the restoration
FeatureCathedral of Notre Dame
Anniversary of Notre-Dame fire: it's safe, but big decisions need to be taken as Covid-19 halts restoration
Rebuilding the roof will be among the main challenges, and the reconstruction of the spire will be among the most controversial
NewsFrance
French organisations create artists' funds and support for summer festivals
The culture ministry and southwest region provides grants for projects, while Paris-based collector Antoine de Galbert appeals to private donors through his foundation
NewsArt market
One third of French galleries could shut before end of 2020 due to coronavirus impact
Survey issued by the Comité professionnel des galeries d'art reveals the economic damage already done, with members estimating a total loss of €184m for this quarter
NewsAuctions
Charity auction raises more than €2m for French healthcare workers
Paris-based auction house Piasa hosted online sale of 370 works donated by artists, designers and galleries
NewsArt market
La Biennale Paris relies on government funding bailout to support dealers during coronavirus crisis
Exhibitors at the art and antiques fair in September will not have to pay the usual advance deposit and allowed to spread out payment over four months
Newscoronavirus
Patrick Devedjian—French politician and driving force behind new museum dedicated to the Sun King—has died of coronavirus
Devedjian was leading plans for a museum project in Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, about the reign of Louis XIV
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Thieves arrested for stealing stones from Notre Dame in Paris
Drunk perpetrators may have wanted to sell the items on the black market
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Notre Dame reconstruction halted because of stringent coronavirus measures
Plans to remove the scaffolding around the fire-damaged cathedral have been put on hold
Newscoronavirus
France’s culture minister tests positive for Covid-19
Franck Riester was due to meet with representatives from the country’s arts and culture spaces about the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, but is now resting at home
NewsMusee d'Orsay
Anonymous €20m donation kickstarts Musée d’Orsay transformation
Radical revelopment of former train station building will make way for more Impressionist works and visitors
NewsVirtual Reality
Google unlocks prehistoric art of France’s Chauvet cave
One of the world's oldest rock art sites is now accessible through virtual reality
NewsArt market
Old Master scandal: Italy rejects European arrest warrant for painter connected to forgery case
Lino Frongia was arrested in September as part of a major investigation involving works purportedly by Lucas Cranach, Frans Hals, Parmigianino, Gentileschi and Bronzino
Newscoronavirus
Coronavirus: Louvre closes while Italian museums reopen following government green light
Italian officials say cultural institutions can open to the public so long as they ensure “visitors respect a distance of at least a metre between each other”
NewsLaw
France reconfirms that women baring their breasts in public is illegal—even for artists and protestors
Two women who are part of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen were charged for topless protests, one of which was in a Paris museum
NewsClaude Monet
Monet for nothing: Musée Marmottan’s ‘self-portrait’ is downgraded
After a long-running debate, the picture, going on show at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam today, has been attributed to Charles Giron
NewsControversies
Embroiled in Palestine row, artist Zineb Sedira says she will not stand down as France’s representative at 2021 Venice Biennale
Pro-Israel arts group protested to French culture ministry about her appointment
NewsMusée du Domaine Royal de Marly
Decadence of Sun King’s pleasure palace revealed at reopened museum near Versailles
Musée du Domaine Royal de Marly is dedicated to the château where Louis XIV partied with his favoured courtiers
NewsVenice Biennale 2021
Zineb Sedira to represent France at 2021 Venice Biennale
The artist is the first of Algerian descent to be selected by France for the international exhibition, according to Le Monde
NewsForgeries
Alleged Bronzino seized from the Alana Collection in connection with ongoing Old Master scandal
French customs officials have barred the return of Saint Cosmos to the US following its inclusion in a show at the Jacquemart André Museum in Paris
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Five years after Charlie Hebdo attack, France plans centre dedicated to satirical cartoons
In honour of the victims and to promote the medium, the French culture ministry will create "a meeting, training and exhibition place"
NewsPalais de Tokyo
Artists criticise Palais de Tokyo partnership with Qatari museum over LGBTQ rights
Mathaf's guest show at Paris contemporary art centre marks Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture
NewsPhotography
Double exposure: new Paris venue to unveil two historic photography collections
Exhibition space will show and sell digital reproductions of images from the archives of the Roger-Viollet agency and France-Soir newspaper
NewsRestitution
France promises to return 26 looted Benin artefacts by 2021 and opens talks on 'wider set of works'
But full restitution depends on changes to French law and the construction of new Benin museum
NewsOpenings
Revamped, renamed, reopened: Musée Ingres Bourdelle honours Montauban's masters
After €13m expansion, French museum brings together works by painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and sculptor Emile-Antoine Bourdelle
NewsMusee du Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac
Quai Branly to send fragment of feather belt worn by first King of Tahiti back to Polynesia
Rediscovered maro 'ura will go on show at Museum of Tahiti and the Islands on long-term loan from 2021
NewsMuseums
Strikes hit France: here are the museums that are affected
Several institutions have closed, others have cut back their opening times as protests against Macron's retirement reforms sweep the country
NewsArt market
Rare Tahitian painting by Gauguin sells for €9.5m at Artcurial in Paris
Te Bourao II, which went to an international collector, was on loan to the Met in New York for ten years
NewsExhibitions
Russia, Germany and France join forces for 'incomparable' travelling show of contemporary European art
Exhibition showing "unique slice" of art from Europe will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
The French general’s advice to Notre Dame's chief architect: ‘Just shut up!’
A public spat between officials erupted this week in Paris over the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged cathedral and whether its historic spire should be restored as it was or a new spire built in its place
NewsSculpture
Antony Gormley in talks with French government over sculpture project in Brittany
Brexit is a disaster for the UK, says the sculptor as he unveils his Field for the British Isles installation at Firstsite gallery in Colchester
NewsArt crime
Painter linked to Old Master forgery case appeals arrest warrant
Italian court postpones decision over Lino Frongia's arrest and transfer to France until February
NewsLeonardo da Vinci
Green light for Leonardo's Vitruvian Man to go to Louvre
An Italian appellate court has overturned the ban on the loan of the celebrated drawing
NewsCentre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou to expand and move collections to new satellite venue in southern Paris
The “art factory” will be a conservation, exhibition and storage space and is expected to open in 2025
NewsMusée du Louvre
Louvre defends planned switch to timed-entry tickets after Mona Lisa 'pandemonium'
Reservations will become mandatory at the world's most visited museum by the end of the year
NewsPhotography
Test shot: Lille’s new photography institute prepares for 2021 launch
The new Institut pour la Photographie is backed by the annual photography festival Rencontres d’Arles
NewsObituaries
Jacques Chirac, former French president, dies, aged 86
The politician, who also served as prime minister and Paris mayor, championed the founding of the Musée du Quai Branly
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
It's official: French tycoons finalise €300m donations for fire-ravaged Notre Dame
Foundation secures funds from Bernard Arnault and François Pinault towards the reconstruction of the cathedral
NewsCultural exchange
Louvre secures key Italian loans for Leonardo retrospective
The Vitruvian Man—normally only shown for a few weeks every six years—will travel from Venice’s Gallerie dell'Accademia to Paris
CommentSavoy/Sarr Report
One year after the Sarr-Savoy report, France has lost its momentum in the restitution debate
It recommended the restitution of African artefacts in French museums, but the country has not returned a single item to Africa
Alexander Herman