Versailles, case of curator who arranged private meetings for a fee breaks out

One of France’s best-known art historians has been suspended from his post at the Palace of Versailles, where he was director of department, one of the most senior posts within the grand complex. The reason? The scholar is accused of organizing paid lectures and private tours of the Palace of Versailles without informing the administration. However, the Palace’s decision was suspended last Sept. 25 by the Versailles Administrative Court pending the trial. The curator is therefore back in his post temporarily, but only the court will determine whether he can actually keep it.

The case emerged in July 2022, when the general secretary of the French government, Claire Landais (Versailles is in fact administered by a foundation under the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Economy), issued a report revealing that the director of the Palace, Laurent Salomé, was aware of the art historian’s activities and had expressed his concern to him. This, however, was not enough to dissuade the curator, who reportedly conducted eight more private visits between December 2022 and January 2023. The Reggia therefore launched an internal investigation that ended in April 2023: it emerged that the art historian had given some 20 lectures outside his prerogatives, and that only in five cases had he informed his employer. The scholar, summoned for clarification by the museum’s top management, had confirmed the charges but stressed that the earnings had served only to cover the costs associated with holding the events. In July, by a decision of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, the curator was suspended from his post on charges of embezzlement (it appears in fact that he made about 15,000 euros). According to the institute, the curator was aware that he was committing an abuse, facilitated by his important position within the museum staff.

Not of the same opinion is the lawyer, according to whom the art historian’s lectures and guided tours were lawful, and his only fault was that he did not adequately notify the administration.

However, the summary judge of the Versailles Administrative Court, as mentioned, suspended the execution of the sanction pronounced against the curator and adopted on July 6, 2023 by the Prime Minister. The judge found that there were serious doubts about the legitimacy of the sanction in terms of its proportion to the facts alleged. How this will play out, however, will have to wait for the trial.

Versailles, case of curator who arranged private meetings for a fee breaks out

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