The Museum’s Collections Return After 4 Years in Storage: A High-Precision Museum Service by Bovis Fine Art Atlantique
From June 23 to July 1, 2025, Bovis Fine Art Atlantique carried out the safe repatriation of nearly 80 artworks from the collections of the Saint-Malo Museum, moving them from our Fine Art storage facility in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) to the museum’s newly renovated reserves.
This transport marked the conclusion of a conservation mission that began in 2021, when the works were entrusted to us during the renovation period.
Exceptional Artworks Handled with Expertise
The works reflect the maritime identity of Saint-Malo: ship models, decorative art objects (trunks, chests, terrestrial and celestial globes), historic paintings, as well as monumental pieces such as a figurehead of Jean Bart, a 600 kg iron anchor, and 10 historical cannons weighing between 800 and 1100 kg, each with its gun carriage.
These artworks were custom-packed in 2021 by our Fine Art crate-making workshop:
- Open-frame crates with bench supports
- Custom platforms with reinforced cushioning
- Pre-planned lifting solutions for heavy items
Flawless Logistics Between Nantes and Northern Brittany
The project required 6 truck rotations of 50 m³ between Nantes and Saint-Malo, mobilizing our most advanced technical resources:
- A 50 m³ climate-controlled Fine Art truck
- A 3-ton forklift
- A 1.5-ton electric stacker
- A crane arm for large-format pieces
Two monumental items required special lifting operations: the iron anchor and the impressive figurehead of Jean Bart. These were handled safely by our experienced specialist riggers, trained to the highest museum standards.
Close Collaboration with the Museum Team
This operation was planned and executed in close coordination with the collections manager of the Saint-Malo Museum, ensuring full traceability and individualized care for each item. The final placement of the pieces in specialized storage racks at the museum’s new facility was also carried out by our team.
Bovis Fine Art: Your Expert in Art Transport in Brittany
Based in Nantes, our Bovis Fine Art Atlantique branch provides services throughout Western France, regularly operating in Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes-d’Armor, Morbihan, Loire-Atlantique, and all of Brittany. Our expertise in museum logistics, secure transport, custom packing, and monumental art handling is trusted by some of the most prestigious cultural institutions.
Contact us for your next collection move, secure storage, or specialized transport project in Brittany and across France.
