Paris’s Guimet Museum Sued Over Dropping ‘Tibet’ From Labels

Four French associations supporting the Tibetan cause filed suit at the Paris administrative court on 2 July, seeking an order that the Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet restore the word “Tibet” to gallery panels, brochures and its website. The plaintiffs argue that since February 2024 the museum has replaced the label with the broader term “Monde himalayen” (Himalayan world), a change they say obscures Tibet’s distinct cultural identity and aligns with Chinese efforts to recast the region’s history.

Represented by lawyers Lily Ravon and William Bourdon, the groups accuse the state-funded institution of an “excess of power” and of breaching its statutory duty to advance knowledge of its collections. Their 30-page filing claims the shift coincides with the arrival of board members perceived as close to Beijing and with the 60th anniversary of Franco-Chinese diplomatic relations, suggesting political influence over curatorial choices.

The Guimet museum rejects the allegations, telling AFP it has not acted under outside pressure and continues to highlight Tibetan culture. It says the term “Tibet” appears 23 times in its April 2025 guide and that the updated wording better reflects the historical breadth of Himalayan art. The court will now decide whether the institution must revert to its previous labelling.