Sauvegarde de l’Art Français is dedicated to safeguarding France’s artistic and architectural heritage. Founded in 1921, the foundation was created to preserve precious works of art and historic monuments that were at risk of being lost or dispersed abroad. Over the past century, it has become a leading force for the conservation of churches, chapels, and artworks—especially in rural communities—ensuring that these treasures remain accessible. Today, the foundation continues to unite heritage stakeholders, researchers, and local partners to protect and celebrate the cultural heritage that defines France.
La Sauvegarde de l’Art Français carries out a wide range of initiatives to protect and promote France’s artistic heritage:
Restoring rural churches and chapels
Each year, the foundation provides around €1.5 million to restore roughly one hundred historic buildings, with a focus on rural churches and chapels. Support is allocated after review by a committee of leading architects and art historians. Thanks to a major bequest from the Marquise de Maillé, special aid is reserved for structures built before 1800 that are not listed as official monuments, ensuring that even overlooked heritage can be saved.
Mobilizing citizens through “Le Plus Grand Musée de France”
In 2013, the foundation launched a nationwide campaign to protect artworks in local communities, under the banner The Largest Museum in France. The idea: every square, church, or town hall houses works of art that belong to us all. What began with student initiatives now brings together art lovers, high school students, and employees of major companies. To date, more than 300,000 participants have helped restore over 330 works, raising €2.3 million and reconnecting entire villages with their cultural treasures.
Encouraging research and recognition
Through a series of prizes, the foundation fosters research in art history and recognizes exemplary restoration projects. The Lambert Prize supports the publication of doctoral research, the Maillé Prize advances knowledge of heritage, and the Trévise Prize rewards outstanding restoration. A nationwide network of local correspondents strengthens the foundation’s presence across France, while broader collaborations with associations and institutions address the future of religious heritage.
U.S. donors can make tax-deductible donations to support La Sauvegarde de l’Art Français in carrying out the following projects:
To save endangered rural churches, chapels, and historic artworks, and to support restoration projects across the country, helping preserve France’s cultural legacy for future generations. It particularly acts in small towns and villages where local resources are limited. It provides financial aid, technical expertise, and works closely with local communities, heritage specialists, and public authorities. Through its projects, the foundation plays a vital role in preserving France’s lesser-known but deeply significant artistic and architectural treasures.
Among other projects, to support the JG foundation, under the aegis of La Sauvegarde de l’Art Français. This foundation’s work is to contribute to the preservation and promotion of neglected culture and heritage centered geographically around Gordes, the Comtat Venaissin, the Vaucluse and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. In particular, by promoting the acquisition and the public access to geographically dispersed works of art; supporting initiatives of general interest, education for all publics and research work; participating in the restoration, preservation, reconstruction, repair and/or rehabilitation of the cultural heritage of Gordes, the Comtat Venaissin, the Vaucluse and the PACA region.
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