The conservation efforts undertaken at the cemetery in Cournonterral were aimed at saving the tombstone of Karol Święcicki and his family, which had been earmarked for liquidation by the local authorities. Thanks to the intervention of members of the Society for the Care of Polish Memorabilia and Historical Graves in France, it was possible to obtain an assurance from the administrator that this monument would be preserved on condition that repairs were carried out. At the beginning of December 2023, an in situ survey of the object was carried out and a programme of work for the restoration and conservation of this tombstone was prepared.

The gravestone was made of limestone, compacted limestone and partly Carrara marble. It was surrounded by an iron fence, the bays of which and the wicket closing off access were covered with active corrosion. In addition, bending of the wicket bars prevented it from closing. The pavement surrounding the monument was cracking and separating from the ground. As a result of the conservation measures carried out, the surfaces of the tombstone were cleaned of build-up. The metal was protected against corrosion. Corroded elements were replaced with stainless steel rods. The inscription became more legible after the lettering was deepened and coloured. The largest scope of work fell on the stone paving surrounding the monument. Limestone slabs en Floresta form the new surround of the monument. The object has regained its lost aesthetic value, and the water repellency applied to the limestone elements will allow for the temporary protection of the monument and the pavement.

Karol Swiecicki, born in 1811 in Vitebsk, was a physician. He began his medical studies at Vilnius University. He took part in the November Uprising as an ensign in the famous 4th Regiment of Foot Riflemen. He arrived in France with the Great Emigration. From 1836, he continued his medical studies at the faculty in Montpelier, receiving his diploma in 1838. Święcicki took up practice in Cournonterral in the Hérault department. He married in 1844 Elisabeth Sophie Albine André, a maiden from a local vineyard planter's family. In 1845 she gave birth to Marie Sophie Albine, who died young at the age of 21. Charles Swiecicki died in 1883 at Cournonterral. His wife made a will after his death and bequeathed the sum of 116,000 francs to, among others, the faculty of medicine in Montpellier and the Association de Prévoyance des Médecins de Hérault. In accordance with her wishes, the faculty created a prize from the interest to be awarded annually to outstanding medical students. This was called the 'prix Swiecicki' and was awarded to students until 1999. Mme Swiecicki's name can be seen on the donors' plaque of honour in the Faculty hall.

The project was completed.

The restoration work was carried out in 2024 as part of the Institute's strategic programme "Protecting Polish cultural heritage abroad".