Mr. Christian Kert, Deputy for the Bouches-du-Rhône and commission reporter, set himself the task of answering several questions: Are we restoring too much? Are we restoring incorrectly? Is science taking the place of art? Are our historical monuments in danger? Do solutions other than renovation exist? The report recommends strengthening preventive conservation and underlines the need to take into consideration the human aspects of this activity and to recognize the fundamental values that motivate the craftsmen working with stone, wood, glass, fabrics, etc. Eight cases are presented to best illustrate the main concerns aroused by historical works and monuments today at the beginning of the 21st century. Ease case presents a different philosophy of fighting ageing and pollution, of conservation and protection, even of "resurrection", at times, thanks to restoration. The report discusses the various restoration methods, the contributions made by science and new technology, and the appropriate use in restoration work of materials often originally designed for medical purposes. It also discusses what remains to be done, in particular as regards the miniaturization of certain materials.