Villa Marmottan to reopen after five-year restoration

The Villa Marmottan in Boulogne-Billancourt is set to reopen to the public on October 6 following a five-year, five-million-euro restoration project. Owned by the Académie des beaux-arts, the site serves as a premier research center dedicated to the Empire period, the Consulate, and the early 19th century.

The renovation, led by heritage architect Jennifer Didelon, aimed to restore the building to its original spirit while addressing structural issues such as humidity and wood-boring insects. The project involved the scrupulous restoration of salons, offices, and bedrooms to preserve the historical atmosphere intended by the original owner, Paul Marmottan.

The site features a research library containing nearly 20,000 precious volumes and an iconographic collection of 6,000 drawings and prints. While the library remains a resource for researchers and the villa hosts artists-in-residence, the public can access an exhibition hall dedicated to Paul Marmottan and a new auditorium designed for weekly cultural events, including book presentations, colloquiums, and concerts.