In collaboration with the Association Roanne Pologne, the Polonika Institute carried out the 2024 conservation of the grave monument of Stefan Paszkowicz, a Polish architect who settled in France after the January Uprising.

The monument takes the form of a limestone stele topped with a cross, set on a border surrounding the grave field. Its surface was covered with stratification. The tilted elements and the detached cross lying in front of the stele from the monument added to the impression of neglect. The work carried out was limited to washing the stone elements and stabilising them. The dismantled stele was placed on a leveled border.

Stefan Paszkowicz was born on 2 September 1846 in Warsaw. He was the son of Antonina, née Michałowska, and Apolini Paszkowicz of the Groty coat of arms, a former soldier in the Napoleonic army. At the age of 16, he took part in the January Rising, for which he was sentenced to death. He emigrated to France, where he began to train as an architect. After the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he enlisted in the Foreign Legion and was taken prisoner after the Battle of Sedan. On his return, he settled in Roanne, started a family and began his professional activity as an architect. He was vice-president of the association of architects of the Loire department, belonged to the Historical and Archaeological Society of Forez, and was a member of the committee to help Poland, From his settlement in Roanne until his death in 1923, he designed 21 churches, 12 factories and other industrial buildings, and two market halls. He also designed the restoration of numerous castles and monuments.

The project was completed.

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