Newly restored glass dome in Paris
07/11/2017
The restoration of the iconic glass dome of the Palais de la Découverte in Paris has been completed, and all its light recovered. The restoration is supported by VILLUM FONDEN.
On Monday 30 October, the fully restored glass dome at the Palais de la Découverte (science museum), part of the Grand Palais in Paris, was officially completed and presented.
The purpose of the restoration has been to restore the luminosity of the dome and once again let the daylight shine through the glass ceiling.
The chair of VILLUM FONDEN Jens Kann-Rasmussen participated in the ceremony and said:
"I am delighted to see the amazing results of the restoration. It is an impressive effort! I am sure that the daylight, which now shines through the magnificent glass ceiling, will bring joy, light, and enlightenment to all who visit these wonderful buildings".
First part of a long journey
The restoration is supported by VILLUM FONDEN with DKK 6.4 million and was established based on a partnership with the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the "Réunion des Musées Nationalaux - Grand Palais" and Universcience.
The restoration, which lasted 14 months, is the first step in an ambitious project in which the entire Grand Palais is to be restored towards the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 to "lead the Grand Palais into the 21st century", as Sylvie Hubac from the Reunion of the musée nationalaux said at the ceremony.
"I am very proud to have been part of this partnership, which has managed to set new standards for excellent culture and a better environment. And I am proud to have participated in the first part of journey with the restoration of the Grand Palais before Paris welcomes athletes from all over the world to the Olympic Games in 2024", said Jens Kann-Rasmussen.
Prize of honor presented to VILLUM FONDEN
At the beginning of the year, VILLUM FONDEN received the French prize "Un projet, un mécène" for the restoration of the glass dome and the longstanding commitment to the preservation of French heritage in other contexts. Read more about the prize below.
