André Cornu et la sauvegarde de Versailles

Abstract

At the end of World War II, the Domain of Versailles is in critical condition, the cost of the restoration work to save it from ruin is estimated at five billion francs. In 1952, Secretary of State for Fine Arts, André Cornu, initiates a national fundraising campaign with a radio broadcast and creates a “National Committee for the Safeguarding of the château of Versailles,” whose aim is to find resources to finance the restoration work. In each French department, local committees are created. Simultaneously, the Committee implores the Government to obtain budgetary funds. The success of those actions allows the five-year restoration plan to begin. The restoration work addresses mainly the architecture department in charge of the structural work. But, the conservation department, which also benefits from the media coverage and financial support of the campaign, can start the restitution and re-furnishing of the chateau. This period, known as “The Safeguarding of Versailles,” not only saved the domain from ruin, but also marked the beginning of a new interest in preservation and a new way to envision its funding; these and other efforts would eventually result in the creation of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in 1959.

Keywords

• Versailles
• André Cornu
• preservation
• restoration
• refurnishing
• national fundraising