Admitted on a competitive basis, student conservators-restorers within the Inp follow a 5-year training programme in order to acquire the necessary foundation and skills for the restoration of heritage works and objects. This training programme leads to a diploma in conservation-restoration of cultural heritage.

Admissibility tests

Case examination and commentary on illustrations chosen by the candidate, focusing on the history of art, forms, styles and techniques.
Duration : 3 h- coefficient 2.5

Sciences
Questions on mathematics, physics and chemistry based on the science programme (PDF) drawn up for the exam.
Duration : 2 h- coefficient 2.5

Drawing
Academic drawing for the painting specialty, academic drawing or documentary analysis for the following specialties : Earthenware and glassware, Graphic arts and books ; Textile arts ; Furniture and Sculpture, academic drawing or documentary analysis or digital capture for the photography specialty.
Duration : 1 h for digital capture, 4 h for academic drawing or documentary analysis – coefficient 5. 

Admission tests

Test in manual dexterity and colour
  - Mechanised removal of paint layers on a wooden support with a scalpel (2h) ;
  - Watercolour reproduction of a series of colours (2h).
Duration : 4 h – coefficient 5 

Duplicate copy tests
  - For Earthenware and glassware : ceramic section  (ceramic, glass, enamel) : modeling of all or part of a sculpture; metal section (metal, enamel) : production of a metallic object based on a model and illustration.
  - For Graphic arts and books specialty : graphic arts section : one or two duplicates, complete or partial, of drawings, prints, water colours, etc… ; book section : duplicate of a bound book (book block and binding) and illustration.
  - For Textile arts specialty : partial duplication of an embroidery sample and a miniature duplication on plain fabric of an ancient costume based on a specific pattern.
  - For Furniture specialty : duplication of all or part of an item of furniture and illustration.
  - For Painting specialty (easel, mural) : duplication of all or part of a painting.
  - For Photography specialty : black and white photo printing and toning, based on a negative.
  - For Sculpture specialty : modeling of all or part of a sculpture.
Duration : 5 – 8 hour days (2 days only for the photography specialty) – coefficient : 7 

Oral tests

Oral commentary on one or more objets or documents relating to the specialty that the candidate has chosen for the competitive examination, followed by an interview with the selection board  in the course of which the candidate outlines his/her motivation to become a professional in conservation-restoration.
Duration : 30 minutes, with 30 minutes of preparation time – coefficient : 5. 

Exam preparation

The programme « Equal Opportunities » aims to accompany students in fine arts (BMA, CAP, DMA, BTS, or other…) from modest family backgrounds, aiming to work in the restoration of fine arts.

Preparation courses for the competitive examination can be followed in certain schools and universities.

Candidates can prepare for the exam by consulting the competition jury reports (in french). They contain assessment tests, jury reports on candidate performance, including competition statistics.