Versailles Lead Poisoning Trial Begins 16 Years After Worker Exposure

Workers allege negligence during a 2009 restoration project at the Château de Versailles left them with severe health and career impacts.

Five workers exposed to lead during the 2009 restoration of the Château de Versailles' Opéra royal are testifying in a trial that started on February 10, 2025.
Six individuals and four companies, including prominent figures like François Asselin and Frédéric Didier, face charges of involuntary injury and endangering lives.
Workers claim they were not informed of lead hazards, provided inadequate protective gear, and worked without proper safety measures, leading to serious health issues such as weight loss, dental damage, and severe fatigue.
The trial also includes allegations of witness tampering against two defendants, highlighting further misconduct during the case's investigation.
The workers, many of whom were forced to leave their professions, describe lasting physical, psychological, and financial consequences from the exposure.