The Centre de Recherches sur la Conservation des Documents graphiques (Centre for the Research into the Conservation of Graphic Documents) was established in 1963. It depends on five directions: Archives, Libraries, Museums, National Center of Scientific Research and Natural History Museum. The present number of staff is 9. The field of its activities covers all the constituent parts of graphic documents: papyrus, parchment, paper, ink, illuminated manuscripts, etc. The research activities are twofold, viz. -- applied research which consists in preparing and perfecting techniquesbefore they are used for restoration purposes; -- analytical research of which the principal objects are the analysis and identification of the different components of graphic documents. Close relations have been established with laboratories in foreign countries, thanks to the ICOM Committee for Conservation, the lnternational Institute for Conservation (IIC) and the International Centre for Conservation which has its seat in Rome.