DRAC grants: financing the restoration and conservation of listed cultural heritage

Introduction

The Directions régionales des affaires culturelles (DRAC) are the Ministry of Culture's decentralised departments in each region. They process in particular grant applications for studies and works on historic monuments, whether listed (classés) or registered (inscrits), as well as other cultural schemes (museums, archives, performing arts, preventive archaeology) depending on the calls for projects under way in each region. For now, the Capital OS database records grants relating to the restoration and conservation of heritage protected under historic monument status.

Which projects can be covered?

The two grants recorded concern studies and works on buildings or objects protected under historic monument status: the restoration of a listed (classé) property and the conservation of a property registered on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments (ISMH). The application must concern a property that is actually protected under this status — a building or object that is neither listed nor registered does not fall under this scheme.

What level of support?

The Ministry of Culture states average grant rates of around 40% for a listed building, 20% for a registered building, 50% for a listed movable object, and 30% for a registered object. These rates remain indicative: the DRAC decides based on the heritage value of the property, the priority of the works, available funding and the financial capacity of the project holder. The grant remains a possibility subject to review, not an automatic entitlement.

Who can file an application?

The owner of the protected property — a company, association, commune or private individual, depending on the case — may file an application. The precise eligibility criteria, documents to provide and procedures vary depending on the regional DRAC and the nature of the property: the relevant department must be contacted before any filing.

How do you prepare your application?

First identify whether the property is listed or registered as a historic monument, then contact the DRAC in your region to find out the timetable and the documents expected (survey, quotes, financing plan). Other funding (local authorities, sponsorship) may be used in addition; the overall financing plan is reviewed by the processing department.

How can Capital OS help?

Capital OS matches the characteristics of a restoration or conservation project against the grants referenced to surface funding leads. This initial selection does not constitute a DRAC decision or confirmation of eligibility: the regulation in force, the available funding and the criteria specific to each region must be checked with the processing department.

Frequently asked questions

Does the DRAC fund all works on an old building? No: only properties listed or registered as historic monuments are covered by these two schemes. Is the grant rate guaranteed? No, the rates stated are averages; the final amount depends on the review of the application. Can this grant be combined with other funding? That depends on the financing plan and the rules applicable to public aid — to be checked with the processing department. Do all regions apply the same rules? The main principles are national, but practical arrangements (timetable, documents, priorities) may vary depending on the DRAC.

Official sources

• Ministry of Culture — Studies and works on historic monuments
• Ministry of Culture — DRAC Grand Est — Example of a regional grants page