/ PARIS / LYON

The Master in Restoration of Cultural Heritage prepares students to the profession of conservation-restoration, specialising in easel painting, paper (drawings, lithographs, etchings, engravings, books, manuscripts…) and ceramics (earthenware, porcelain, terracotta, excavated objects).

The restoration of cultural heritage is a trade that requires passion and patience to take part in many different excavation projects over several years before gaining professional recognition.

The Ecoles de Conde have based themselves on this observation to train their students. Very early on in their studies, our restorer-students are placed in real intervention situations, during their lecture times but also during the many internships they carry out in France and abroad (esp. Italy, Asia, Middle East...).

The title of Cultural Heritage Restorer-Conservator, state-certified to Level II of the national register of professional certification, gives you the necessary qualifications to access national collections.

The Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage course at the Ecoles de Conde is also a European Master of Fine Arts with specialisation in Restoration of Cultural Heritage, certified by the European Accreditation Board of Higher Education Schools which allows an international recognition of the degree.

5-year diploma, state-certified to level II.

The possible final year projects are available on the Research tab of our website or by clicking here.

/ Entry requirements

French Baccalaureat or equivalent abroad, based on a personal interview and academic records. Validation through Acquired Experience (VAE).

The title of Cultural Heritage Restorer-Conservator is state-certified to Level II of the national register of professional certification and grants you access to the restoration or conservation of public or private collections in the following areas:

- Easel painting

- Paper (posters, prints, photographs, ancient books, lithographs ...),

- Ceramics (earthenware, china, objects of search ...)

- Restorer-conservators of cultural heritage may practise in France or abroad.

/ Nelly Cauliez, Specialisation – Paper, 2003 Graduate

“After a BAC ES I chose to integrate the Ecole des Beaux-Arts where I learned the various techniques of visual arts. For three years, amongst other things, I trained and specialised in printmaking techniques. When learning these techniques, I had to choose my printing material and, naturally, I chose paper. It is precisely at that moment that I began questioning the manufacture of this material, its nature (transparent, opaque, matt, shiny, fleeting…), its preservation and, of course, its restoration. Thus, through my years at the Beaux-Arts, I began to learn about a real paper-related trade. Consequently, in September 2000, I did some research and then integrated the École de Condé. During my years there, I learnt the different techniques of restoration and conservation of graphic documents, I strengthened my knowledge in Art history and I received training on the sciences applied to this field. I also extended my training by carrying out a number of internships that allowed me to build a professional network. Thus, at the end of my degree, I was offered a job in the graphic documents restoration department at the Château de Versailles. I worked there for almost two years and I must admit that the training I received at the École de Condé fitted in perfectly with the demands of my job. Today, I manage the restoration workshops at the Archives Nationales de Paris, where I really feel like I have achieved my professional goals, whilst doing something I am passionate about.”

/ Célinève Bosio, Specialisation – Paper, 2008 Graduate

"I received 5 years of high quality training at the École de Condé, both in Lyon and in Paris. The lessons are taught by professors whose expertise is enhanced by their professional practice. My involvement in a number of internships allowed me to put my knowledge into practice and to discover different techniques that complemented those I had already learned in school. It also helped develop my professional network. After a first experience in the studio of a bookbinding restorer in Saône et Loire, I was offered a job as a bookbinding restorer myself at the Fonds ancien de la bibliothèque de Lyon.”

/ Caroline Garcia-Martinez, Specialisation – Painting, 2008 Graduate

“This year I received the “Young Craftsman of the Year” award, thanks to the “Patrimoine pour demain” competition (“Cultural heritage of tomorrow”), which was organised by the Pèlerin magazine. This award represents the work I have done since graduating from the Écoles de Condé. It will allow me to launch my own studio by enabling me to invest in the necessary materials. I believe it also emphasises the quality of education that I received at the Écoles de Condé, where my practice of painting restoration was able to flourish thanks to a good balance between the hands-on learning, theoretical material and practical experience. Since my graduation, I have kept in touch with the school that I actually came across at the heritage fair. I certainly hope that all of this marks the beginning of a long career as a restorer in cultural heritage!”