The heritage floors of the Maison de la Recherche have been restored to their former glory
![Sols en mosaïque avant et après leur rénovation](https://inalco.fr/sites/default/files/styles/3x2_sm/public/assets/images/mosaiques-renovation.png?h=82915f7a&itok=WIWXUb7o)
The historic site of Inalco, an 18th-century building, preserves remarkable heritage elements: floor mosaics, monumental grand staircase, ornate ceiling, chandeliers and ironwork in the former 2nd-floor salons, as well as a set of eight paintings and bas-reliefs.
In July 2020, the building was awarded the "Heritage of Regional Interest" label by the Île-de-France Region for all of these architectural elements.
Committed to the enhancement and heritage preservation of the historic building, the Inalco Foundation had launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2019. The sums raised from donors have now enabled the heritage floors to regain their lustre.
The grand staircase
![Escalier d'honneur de la Maison de la recherche](https://inalco.fr/sites/default/files/styles/4x3_sm/public/assets/images/escalier-monumental-renovation.png?h=c464654c&itok=VL_S7tCK)
The grand staircase was designed by architect Louis Faure-Dujarric. This stone staircase features a railing encircled by arabesques and floral motifs, ending in a large bronze candelabra. It originally served the office of the administrator of the École des langues orientales, now the office of the vice-president of research.
The mosaics
![Rénovation des sols en mosaïques de la Maison de la recherche](https://inalco.fr/sites/default/files/styles/4x3_sm/public/2023-12/mosaiques-renovation3-944x630.jpg?h=c8bf4391&itok=GfRa-AVB)
![Détail des mosaïques](https://inalco.fr/sites/default/files/styles/4x3_sm/public/assets/images/mosaiques-renovation2.png?h=82915f7a&itok=m4GMpWQQ)
The 2nd floor corridor tiles
![Les carreaux du couloir du 2ème étage (aile est) après leur rénovation](https://inalco.fr/sites/default/files/styles/4x3_sm/public/2024-06/DSCF2818.png?h=d95de6cf&itok=fF_87ZEU)