#2026-397Rules on loans and deposits by national museums
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This decree updates how French national museums can lend works from their collections and who must review those decisions. It expands and clarifies the role of the Scientific Commission of National Museums for certain acquisition, loan, and deposit decisions, and adds the Musée des plans et reliefs to the list of covered national museums. Museums may lend works to public bodies or private legal entities for cultural exhibitions or events, including projects linked to promotion, research, fundraising, restoration, or collection development. Borrowers must keep the works publicly accessible, protect them properly, and accept oversight during the loan period.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Clarifies that certain national museums must seek the Scientific Commission’s opinion for loans and deposits.
- Adds the Musée des plans et reliefs to the list of national museums covered by these rules.
- Sets conditions for loans, including public access, conservation safeguards, written agreements, and oversight during the loan period.
Obligations
What this law requires
National museums listed in Article R.421-2 must obtain the prior opinion of the Scientific Commission of National Museums before making loan or deposit decisions involving works in their collections.
Loan decisions for works held by the national museums listed in Article R.421-2 must be made only after receiving the opinion of the Scientific Commission of National Museums.
Borrowers of works from French national museum collections must guarantee public accessibility to the borrowed works during the relevant cultural exhibition or event.
Borrowers of works from French national museum collections must ensure compliance with conservation conditions for the loaned works, including security and safety requirements.
Each loan of works from French national museum collections must be governed by an agreement defining the conditions and procedures of the loan operation.