Our history

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The Centre des monuments nationaux, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, works to preserve and promote historic monuments. Relive the evolution of this century-old institution in the service of heritage!

The birth of "historic monuments

In 1790, at the heart of the French Revolution, the scholar Aubin Louis Milin presented a report to the Constituent Assembly entitled Antiquités nationales ou Recueil de monuments, pour servir à l'histoire générale et particulière de l'Empire françois. The term "historic monument" appears here for the first time! It refers to buildings and places associated with the art and history of France.

In 1830, the post of inspector of historic monuments was created by the Ministry of the Interior. On 27 May 1834, it was given to the writer and historian Prosper Mérimée, who was to play an essential role.

Dessin architectural attribué à Prosper Mérimée au XIXe siècle — Dessin architectural attribué à Prosper Mérimée
© Reproduction Benjamin Gavaudo / CMN

For years, he travelled the length and breadth of France to draw up an inventory of prehistoric sites and remarkable ancient and medieval buildings. They were all under the responsibility of the State or local authorities, and all required work. It was Prosper Mérimée who commissioned the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc to restore the city of Carcassonne, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and Pierrefonds castle.

Photographie d’Eugène Viollet-le-Duc en 1860 — Photographie de Viollet-le-Duc en 1860, prise par Charles Marville
© Reproduction Philippe Berthé / CMN

What happened next? The law of 30 March 1887 on the conservation of historic monuments ensures the protection of works that are "of interest from the point of view of history, art or archaeology". Accordingly, a listed monument may not be destroyed or moved, and any work (maintenance, repair, restoration or modification) must be subject to ministerial approval. It is supplemented by the law of 31 December 1913 on historic monuments, which reaffirms and enriches its provisions.

Affiche datant de 1843 sur la conservation des monuments historiques à Reims — Affiche sur la « Conservation des monuments historiques » de la ville de Reims, 1843
© Reproduction Benjamin Gavaudo / CMN

The Centre des monuments nationaux in 4 periods

1914 - 1930

The Caisse nationale des monuments historiques et préhistoriques was founded on 10 July 1914, a few months after the 1913 law. Its role? To raise money to finance the purchase of listed monuments and support restoration campaigns.

Initially, these funds were made up of donations and legacies from private individuals. However, from 1922 onwards, another source of income was created with the levying of an entrance fee on visits to the monuments. It was the start of a new chapter!

Photographie d’un groupe de visiteurs au château d’If, début du XXe siècle — Groupe de visiteurs au château d’If, au début du XXe siècle
© Reproduction Benjamin Gavaudo / CMN

1930 - 1965

A new law, passed on 2 May 1930, added to that of 1913 the classification and protection of natural sites of historical, scientific or artistic interest. This was the case, for example, of the Paimpont forest in Ille-et-Vilaine, often identified as the Broceliande of Arthurian myths. In 1934, several features were listed, including the Barenton fountain and Merlin's tomb.

Following this law, the name of the institution was changed to Caisse nationale des monuments historiques, préhistoriques et naturels et des sites (National Fund for Historic, Prehistoric and Natural Monuments and Sites).

In the aftermath of the Second World War, new means of funding had to be found. A policy of promoting and enhancing monuments was gradually put in place to attract more visitors. Little by little, the Caisse's role shifted from accounting to culture.

Groupe visitant la chambre de l’appartement seigneurial du château de Puyguilhem — Groupe visitant le château de Puyguilhem
© David Bordes / Centre des monuments nationaux

1965 - 2000

Two decrees published on 30 June 1965 changed the status of the institution, which took the name Caisse nationale des monuments historiques et des sites (CNMHS). Two years later, in 1967, its headquarters were moved to the Hôtel de Béthune-Sully, in the heart of the Marais district of Paris.

Over the years, the number of visitors has grown steadily. The importance of welcoming the public and promoting the monuments grew. At the same time, the CNHMS became a key player on the international cultural scene.

Vue de la façade de l’hôtel de Sully — L’Hôtel de Sully, siège du Centre des monuments nationaux
© Philippe Berthé / Centre des monuments nationaux

By decree of 21 April 2000, the CNHMS became the current Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN).

In 2007, the CMN was entrusted with the management of maintenance and restoration operations, which until then had been the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture. Since then, numerous projects have been carried out throughout France, including the restoration of the Hôtel de la Marine, Beaulieu-en-Rouergue abbey and the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, home to the Cité internationale de la langue française.

Today, the CMN has three main missions: