A report reveals over 700 missing artworks from La Réunion's museum, including pieces by Victor Hugo and Auguste Rodin, sparking concerns about mismanagement.
Audit finds missing museum works
The Regional Audit Chamber (CRC) has criticized the Departmental Council of La Réunion for its management of the region’s heritage, particularly highlighting the loss of over 700 items from the Léon-Dierx Museum.Two notable works are missing
Among the missing items are two significant works—one attributed to Victor Hugo and the other to Auguste Rodin—adding to the concern over the museum’s inventory. These losses have raised questions about the management of the cultural assets in the region.Inventory shows many missing items
According to the CRC, an inventory in 2016 revealed 813 missing objects, about 20 percent of the museum's collection. Over ten years of internal research, only 35 pieces have been recovered, leaving 778 still unaccounted for.Department disputes the numbers
The Departmental Council of La Réunion disputes the CRC’s findings, claiming that 107 items have been recovered, reducing the number of missing items to 706. It also points out that 320 of these were already listed as missing in 1912, the year the museum was founded.Most losses occurred recently
The CRC notes that 272 of the missing items were lost between 2008 and 2016, and these primarily include prints, imprints, and books. However, the report does not provide any financial estimate for these losses.Complaint filed too late
The report mentions that the Palais de la Source filed a complaint in 2021, but the CRC found the complaint was filed too late and lacked supporting evidence. It also points out a risk of serious management failure regarding the missing museum works.Other buildings face management issues
Beyond the museum, the CRC highlights that several other buildings, including the Cilaos thermal hotel and the former prefect's villa in Salazie, have faced delays and implementation difficulties, leading to their degradation.High costs for office management
The Department spends 4.8 million euros annually on office rentals and property management. A strategy to reduce these costs was only initiated in November 2023 and validated in June 2025.Accessibility improvements lag
The CRC also expresses concern over delays in making public sites accessible to people with disabilities. Although work on accessibility was planned from 2017 to 2026, only 2.4 million euros of the 78 million euros budget have been spent so far.Department cites state constraints
In response, the Department cites constraints from the State, which retains a right of use over part of the community’s assets, and points to a lack of funding for renovations. It also mentions that it has started reorganizing its property management.
