More than two centuries after its inaugural opening in 1852, the historic Cirque d’Hiver, a celebrated Parisian performance hall, has initiated a restoration effort to recapture its original grandeur.
Published on 24/06/2026 – 16:53 GMT+2
Roughly twenty ornamental frescoes from the Second Empire era, positioned above the seating, are being conserved as part of a visual chronicle of the historic relationship between humans and horses, a tradition long cherished by Parisians.
The central challenge, and the most demanding aspect, is the removal process. The canvas has become rigid due to prolonged exposure, resulting in significant distortions caused by moisture infiltration from nearby windows, which led to uncontrolled condensation that damaged the surfaces.
“The key, and the most difficult part, is taking it down. Why? Because the canvas has acquired a certain stiffness,” explains Stéphane Millet, the architect and engineer overseeing the renovation of the Cirque d’Hiver. “It has significant distortions caused by leaks and condensation that have run down the canvases.”
With his team, Millet will cover the frescoes with a protective film designed to soften the canvases. Easy to remove and harmless to the artworks, this device will enable them to be lowered in a single piece along the seating.
“And then, of course, the works will be sent to restoration workshops, where the protective film will be removed and an extremely complex restoration process will begin, revealing, for example, previous touch‑ups that have already been applied,” Millet adds.
Maximum precautions
The central goal is to preserve every element with utmost care.
“And then, of course, we will send them to restoration workshops, where the protective film will be removed and a restoration process will begin that is extremely complex, because we are discovering, for example, that touch‑ups have already been carried out,” says Millet.
A full restoration
The restoration, projected to span twelve to eighteen months, aims to return the venue to a state that is nearly 100% faithful to its original appearance, according to the architect.
Subsequent work will focus on refurbishing the seating and reinstalling stained‑glass windows above the frescoes to restore their original luster. This phase is projected to last six to seven years and will be carried out during summer months to avoid disrupting the Cirque’s programming.
Overall, the project, which carries an estimated multi‑million‑euro budget and is supported by the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs and the Île‑de‑France regional authority, seeks to faithfully restore the historic venue.
