A celebration was organized on May 27 to mark the end of restoration work on the Petit Palais’ peristyle and fresco. This large-scale project was made possible thanks to the support provided by Groupe BPCE, the principal patron of the Petit Palais fine arts museum.
The sheer size of Paul Baudoüin’s masterpiece, a monumental fresco entitled “The Seasons and the Days” more than 100m in length and covering a total surface area of over 1,000m2, represented a true collective challenge for all the teams involved. And for good reason! Exposed to the elements, the fresco had suffered the ravages of time and inclement weather.
Humidity, water infiltration, pollution, and temperature fluctuations had gradually damaged the various surfaces. But that was not all. Beyond the fresco itself, the project also involved a complete restoration, including structural work and the renovation of the entire building, beginning in June 2025.
With the scope of the project including the restoration of pictural elements, retouching and the application of mineral consolidants to the fresco, along with work on the pediments, acroteria and marble cladding, this major restoration initiative called on a wide range of skilled workers, conservators, heritage craftsmen and specialists in fresco painting, gilding and ornamental sculpture for almost a year.
They formed a multidisciplinary team united by a common goal: to preserve the authenticity of the original materials while using innovative and environmentally friendly methods.
The challenge has now been met with success and the general public can now discover, or rediscover, the beauty, splendor, and full richness of Paul Baudoüin’s work of art.
After welcoming more than 28,000 guests from Groupe BPCE and its member companies during the Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024, and following the launch of the first initiatives under its Climate Plan, the Petit Palais concludes a new chapter in its history with the Group: the restoration of its peristyle and fresco.
As the Petit Palais’s principal patron since 2023, Groupe BPCE is demonstrating its commitment to long-term patronage and to leaving a lasting legacy for the Petit Palais.
« This project leaves the Petit Palais a lasting legacy and gives tangible expression to the values that make Groupe BPCE what it is: a cooperative group, proud of its multifaceted nature, committed to the long term, and dedicated to serving the French people and their projects »
Nicolas Namias,
chairman of the Management Board of BPCE
To watch this YouTube video, you must accept cookies from the Social Networks category, which includes YouTube, by clicking here.
Groupe BPCE is actively supporting the Petit Palais as its navigates its ecological transition.
Discover the testimonials of Isabelle Auclair, heritage conservator at the National Institute of Heritage (INP), and Violette Peigné, head of maintenance, facilities, and logistics at the Petit Palais, who share their experiences of this extraordinary project.