Regional conservation of historical monuments

Buildings and objects of historical or art interest may be protected as historic monuments.

Admissible applications for the protection of buildings and applications initiated by the service are examined by the Regional Committee on Heritage and Architecture (CRPA), particularly through themes related to national celebrations, for example.

The RCAP is placed with the State representative in the region, it includes persons holding a national or local elective mandate, representatives of the State, representatives of associations or foundations whose purpose is to promote knowledge, the protection, conservation and presentation of heritage and qualified persons.

Two levels of protection for buildings or objects: inscription or classification as historic monuments.

Buildings or parts thereof:
Buildings or parts of public or private buildings which, without justifying a request for immediate classification as historic monuments, are of sufficient historical or art interest to make their preservation desirable may, at any time, be registered, by decision of the administrative authority, in respect of historical monuments” (art. L621-25 of the Heritage Code). The registration measure is effective after an order of the regional prefect.

- “Buildings whose conservation has a public interest in terms of history or art are classified as historic monuments in whole or in part by the administrative authority” (art. L621-1 of the Heritage Code). This procedure is subject to a decision of the Minister responsible for culture after the opinion of the National Commission for Historic Monuments (CNMH), after agreement of the owner.

Movable objects:
'movable objects, either movable or immovable by purpose, which, without justifying a request for immediate classification, present, from the point of view of history, art, science or technology, sufficient interest to make its preservation desirable may be inscribed under the title of historical monuments” (art. L 622-20 of the Heritage Code). The decree of inscription is made by the prefect of the region, after the opinion of the regional commission of the patrimonies and architecture. If this object belongs to a private person, the registration order can only be made in view of a file containing the owner’s agreement on the registration measure.
Apply for protection for historic monuments of buildings or movable objects (including organs):
The application is available online: Visit measuresofculturalarchs
An exchange with those responsible for the regional conservation of historic monuments is also useful!

The heritage code reminds us that the owner of a historic monument is responsible for his property. It organises the scientific and technical control exercised by the State.
Intended to guarantee the conservation of historical monuments classified and inscribed in the best conditions and to ensure their transmission to future generations in the best possible condition, this control is exercised by the agents of the regional conservation of the historical monuments, verifying that the programmed or punctual interventions, of whatever nature, do not prejudice the interest that justified the protection of historic monuments.
The advice and expertise of State agents is at the service of the project owners and the project owners upstream of the intervention process. A permanent dialogue with the State services is necessary, defined by the circular of 1 December 2009.

Restoration work on historic monument
Any intervention other than routine maintenance on a classified or registered building must be the subject of an application for authorisation formalised by a building permit (urban planning code) if it is registered, or a work permit (heritage code) if it is classified.
For the repair and restoration of a listed historical monument, the owner must describe his project of works and use a qualified project manager under conditions defined by the heritage code ensuring a complete mission (design and monitoring).

For a listed historical monument, the use of such a project manager is useful and advisable. The choice of this project manager must be validated by the State. The preliminary diagnosis must be the subject of observations of the State guiding the owner in the elaboration of the project of works. The latter gives rise to agreement on building permit (listed monument) or authorization of works (listed monument). The State services are then kept informed of the progress of the work and of its reception.

These obligations also apply to movable objects, in association with the curators of antiques and art objects present in each of the twelve departments of the region.

- Contact the regional conservation of historical monuments, the curator of historical monuments in charge of the department where the building is located

Work in the vicinity of historic monuments and routine maintenance work on a historic monument:
Buildings or groups of buildings which together with a historic monument form a coherent whole or which are likely to contribute to its conservation or development are protected as part of the surroundings.

Work likely to alter the exterior appearance of a building, built or not built, protected under the surroundings are subject to a prior authorization requiring the agreement of the architect of the buildings of France who directs the departmental unit of architecture and heritage (UDAP). The UDAP advises public contractors and private individuals in the development and implementation of their architectural projects and participates in the definition of guidelines and the preparation of planning documents.

- Contact the Departmental Unit of Architecture and Heritage (UDAP) of your department

The restoration of a historic monument requires a specific and global understanding of archaeology, history, architecture, its decoration and its use.

The action in support of all the heritage services allows a fine knowledge of the buildings, whether to establish a health state with the departmental units of architecture and heritage (UDAP) or movable objects protected through the work of proofing inventories carried out by the conservators of antiques and art objects.

The Venice Charter, an international convention in which France is a party and which constitutes the founding text of the restoration of heritage, applies to historic monuments. Thus, the restoration operation must meet the specific technical needs but without violating either the historical and art interest of the monument or the authenticity of the materials that compose it.

A restoration operation begins with a diagnosis and a preliminary study that determine the bias of the restoration and determine the phases of the site. A restoration project usually takes place over several years depending on the importance of the building and the extent of the restoration.

Financial support may be provided to private or public owners for studies and works. Here you will find answers to the questions you can ask yourself to be well oriented in the steps to be taken.

Special attention is also paid to movable objects and historical organs, in conjunction with the curators of antiquities and works of art for the former and the consultant for the latter.

Key figures: maintenance and restoration of historic monuments
It is essential to approach Regional Conservation of Historical Monuments before a file is created.
See here the frequently asked questions "grants".

Download the updated lists of historical monuments by department:

- Legislation on historic monuments
- Locate historical monuments on the Atlas of Heritage
- Historical monuments online on POP - the digital heritage platform
- List of preservatives of antiques and works of art: