Monuments Men, the exhibition at Château de la Roche Guyon that pays tribute to art officers

Does the title ring a bell? Perhaps you remember Georges Clooney's film, which tells the true story of a group of curators, art historians, artists and architects who worked to safeguard our cultural heritage? The " Monuments Men " exhibition at the Château de La Roche-Guyon is a window onto the little-known struggle of these " art officers " during the Second World War.

Through their mission to safeguard, protect and restore Europe's cultural heritage, this exhibition is part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, under the theme "War and Peace". The château, a listed historic monument that played a key role during the war, provides an ideal historical backdrop for this event, which will take place from May 18 to November 24, 2024.

The exhibition's itinerary is designed to take us on a chronological and thematic journey, from the time of the Occupation through the main theaters of operation in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, Austria and Germany. The heroic efforts of the Monuments Men to protect art and culture in wartime are illustrated by a wealth of stories, testimonials, objects, archive documents, photographs and uniformed mannequins.

The personal stories of these heritage protectors, such as that of American Lieutenant James J. Rorimer, curator at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, are also highlighted, underscoring the commitment and courage of these individuals in protecting art in war zones.

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The Château de La Roche-Guyon, with its history as the wartime headquarters of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and refuge for a valuable art collection belonging to the La Rochefoucauld family, is the ideal location for this exhibition. The château, identified as a crucial site to be protected by SHAEF, evokes the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

The exhibition has been orchestrated by Mattéo Grouard, a young historian specializing in the Second World War, renowned for his commitment to preserving and promoting the heritage of this period. Through this exhibition, he hopes to raise awareness among new generations of the importance of protecting cultural heritage in times of war.

" Monuments Men " at the Château de La Roche-Guyon is therefore an invitation to explore a little-known facet of the Second World War, highlighting the impact of war on cultural heritage and celebrating the heroism of those who risked their lives, or even died, to protect it. Guided and even scripted tours, lectures and film screenings complete the experience, offering a richer understanding of these preservation efforts.