Bordeaux refuses to accept art donations from seven African countries

Bordeaux – June 1, 2026: On June 1, 2026, the city of Bordeaux officially declined a private donation of 53 artworks from seven African countries. This decision enabled these works to be returned directly to their countries of origin, especially Gabon, which will reclaim 33 of the pieces from the collection.

The collection was gathered by Marie-Thérèse Petit, a midwife from Bordeaux who was active in several African countries between 1947 and 1982. She passed away in 2022 and bequeathed the collection to the city of Bordeaux. These artworks and jewelry pieces have since been kept at the Musée d’Aquitaine, with origins including Gabon, Nigeria, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, and Togo.

This decision by the city of Bordeaux represents an important step in the current discussions about the return of African cultural heritage that was transported to Europe during the colonial period. The decision complies with French legislation passed in May 2026 concerning the restitution of illegally obtained cultural heritage.

The 33 pieces returned to Gabon belong to the Tsogo ethnic group and are considered a historic moment for the country. These works hold significant cultural value and are currently exhibited at the National Museum of Arts, Rites and Traditions in Libreville.

Bordeaux’s refusal to accept the donation allows the related countries to cooperate directly with French authorities to coordinate the return of their cultural heritage. This promotes international cooperation and dialogue, advancing the restitution of colonial-era cultural heritage brought to Europe.

This action is part of a broader process in which several African countries are requesting the return of cultural heritage from European museums. In recent years, France has made multiple restitutions, including the return of 90 artifacts to Gabon in January 2024.

Bordeaux’s refusal to accept the donation is seen as a positive example of cultural heritage restitution and may serve as a model for other European cities facing similar discussions. This action emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the concerned countries and French authorities to achieve the return of cultural heritage.

The return of these items is viewed not only as a cultural gain for Gabon but also as a step toward healing historical wounds and fostering cultural exchange between Europe and Africa. It symbolizes recognition of the value of the cultural heritage of the countries involved, as well as the responsibility of former colonial powers to respect and return this heritage.