As Heritage Days begin on September 19 and 20, historic monuments across France are facing challenges due to extreme temperatures. At the Palace of Versailles, teams are working hard to protect its treasures from the effects of climate change. After experiencing the hottest summer ever recorded in France, the palace's rich historical artifacts are under threat from lack of maintenance, natural aging, and increasingly, climate change. These are significant issues that the teams at the Palace of Versailles are actively addressing. Behind a hidden door in the palace, visitors can discover the gilded salon of Marie-Antoinette. The gilded surfaces and lacquered wooden furniture in this room are considered fragile works of art, vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Danilo Forleo, head of preventive conservation at the Palace of Versailles, explains that these collections are made of very delicate materials, including carved wood coated with layers of rabbit skin glue. This glue, which is used in all the gilding, can dry out or soften when exposed to certain temperatures. This can lead to wood veneers peeling off, as well as the growth of mold and infestation by insects in some areas. Since 2020, there has been a noticeable link between rising temperatures and these damaging effects. To combat these issues, the palace is being closely monitored, with a series of test works analyzed every week. There is also a research program called Epico, which stands for European protocol in preventive conservation. This program was launched several years ago to measure the effects of climate change and find solutions. Danilo Forleo explains that simple measures, such as using curtains made of appropriate materials, employing shutters, and using ventilation techniques similar to those used in southern homes, can significantly reduce indoor temperatures. Thanks to these strategies, up to 10 degrees less heat is recorded in certain rooms. In the park, Alain Baraton, the head gardener, is concerned about the impact of the recent heatwave. He estimates that 1,500 trees have died this summer. In the Queen's Avenue, a carpet of dead leaves, normally seen in autumn, now covers the ground. "I have been at Versailles for 50 years and this is the first time I have seen this situation," says Alain Baraton. He notes that many beech trees in the park are dying one after another, and there may already be a hundred dead birch trees. While some trees may recover by regrowing their leaves, they are showing signs of fatigue, and their future is uncertain. A potential solution is to replace these vulnerable trees with others that can withstand the heat. Alain Baraton emphasizes that the goal is not to replace them identically but to preserve the spirit of Versailles. He points to an elm tree specifically developed to withstand heat, which has not lost its leaves, unlike its neighbors.