An architectural gem of the belle époque, the Petit Palais, has just begun an ambitious restoration of its peristyle and fresco, which were showing signs of deterioration.
This large-scale project, running from mid-April 2025 to spring 2026, aims to restore this masterpiece to its original splendour. The peristyle is considered synonymous with the revival of fresco painting in France at the dawn of the 20th century.
The peristyle vault is decorated with a majestic fresco, measuring over 1,000 square metres and 108 metres in length, done by painter Paul Baudoüin between 1910 and 1911. A fervent admirer of Italy and Renaissance frescoes, Baudoüin, a student of Puvis de Chavannes, rediscovered this ancestral technique, which was little used at that time. The decoration of the Petit Palais illustrates the Republican calendar, through a succession of poetic figures evoking the seasons, months, and hours of the day and night. Thanks to the renovation of this historic feature of the Petit Palais, the monumental masterpiece will recover all its chromatic wealth and original beauty.
The impact of the weather
Exposed to the elements, the fresco has suffered the ravages of time and bad weather. Humidity, leaks, pollution, and temperature variations have gradually altered the various surfaces, resulting in the appearance of cracks, dirt, the presence of fungi and mould on the stone, as well as a loss of colour, flaking paint, and even the detachment or separation of the coloured layer from the backing of the fresco. In addition to this decorative feature, a total restoration, with structural renovations to the entire peristyle, is now underway, focusing on the roofing, pediments, acroteria, and the marble veneer. The restoration project is led by Paris Musées with the expertise of the agency of Pierre-Antoine Gatier, chief architect of historic monuments.
A green undertaking
Entrusted to the Aline Berelowitsch Group and spearheaded by Isabelle Auclair, the restoration of the peristyle fresco combines traditional know-how and cutting-edge technology. The objective is to preserve the authenticity of the original materials while using innovative and environmentally friendly processes. The project is one of the first on such a scale to incorporate the latest advances in ecological restoration, guaranteeing a sustainable and responsible intervention, all the while striving for excellence.
The restoration of the peristyle will offer visitors a renewed experience, by enhancing one of the museum’s most beautiful spaces. The work, costing nearly €3.7 million in total, marks a key step in the preservation and valorization of this remarkable site, a testament to the architectural and artistic genius of the early twentieth century.
A project made possible thanks to the BPCE Group
The restoration of the peristyle is funded by the BPCE Group, one of the museum’s major patrons. Their involvement reflects a desire to preserve and promote Parisian cultural heritage, while participating in the transmission of expertise by artisans and heritage restorers. The BPCE Group also accompanies the Petit Palais in its ecological transition and the development of its cultural programming.
