France moves to return colonial-era art to Algeria and other nations

• French Senate approves bill to return colonial-era art, including pieces requested by Algeria

France’s Senate on Wednesday unanimously adopted a draft law that would simplify the process of returning artworks and cultural heritage taken during the colonial era to their countries of origin, in a move seen as a significant step in addressing the legacy of colonialism.

Under current French law, returning cultural objects acquired between 1815 and 1972 often requires a separate parliamentary vote for each item, a procedure that has long slowed restitution efforts despite mounting international pressure.

The new bill aims to streamline that process, making it easier for former colonies and other nations to reclaim artefacts now held in French national collections.

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The legislation, approved unanimously by senators, will now be sent to the National Assembly for final adoption before becoming law. If enacted, it would apply to works obtained through theft, looting, coercion or other illicit means during the colonial period.

France still holds tens of thousands of artworks and heritage items taken during its colonial rule in Africa and elsewhere, a legacy that has drawn increasing criticism from governments and cultural institutions seeking their return.

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the injustices of France’s colonial past and pledged to improve cooperation on cultural restitution, arguing that returning heritage can help build new, more equal relationships with African nations.

The bill dovetails with earlier French legislative efforts to address historical wrongs: in 2023, France passed laws to facilitate the restitution of property looted from Jewish families during World War II and to return human remains held in public collections.

Requests for restitution have come from several countries, including Algeria, Mali and Benin. Benin, for example, has previously received 26 artefacts under France’s restitution commitments and continues to pursue further returns.

Supporters of the bill say it will strengthen France’s credibility in responding to restitution claims, while critics argue that it still stops short of fully addressing the scale of colonial-era cultural loss.