As part of its cultural cooperation mission, the French Institute in India welcomed Ms. Wangmo, an expert from Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs, for a one-week training in Paris focused on heritage conservation and restoration. Organized with the French Ministry of Culture, the program offered a deep dive into French practices in preserving, managing, and transmitting heritage.
This exchange also opened space for reflection on Bhutan's architectural traditions, which are deeply rooted in nature. There, buildings are made of stone, wood, rammed earth, and bamboo, assembled without nails or metal fasteners, thanks to ancestral wood-joining techniques. Comparing these approaches helped enrich discussions on adapting heritage policies to local contexts.
Throughout the week, Ms. Wangmo met with leading institutions like the Ministry of Culture's Directorate of Heritage, École de Chaillot, Institut national du patrimoine, CRAterre, ICOMOS France, and the restoration teams of Notre-Dame, Fontainebleau, and the Hôtel de la Marine. Topics ranged from regulatory protections and material analysis to climate challenges and traditional techniques which may be recognized by UNESCO, such as dry-stone construction.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Wangmo shared:
"This program was truly transformative, both professionally and personally. It strengthened my technical skills in heritage conservation and broadened my understanding of international best practices. Visiting sites like Notre-Dame and the Hôtel de la Marine helped me see how France integrates conservation, adaptive reuse, and public participation."