The Recapture of the Bastille

The Recapture of the Bastille—196 unique flags made from used clothing.

Claire & Jean Seb are taking back the Bastille! In partnership with the Festival du Monde and Refashion, the artists present a monumental work that resonates with the history of this square, a symbol of freedom and revolution.

Surrounding the July Column, 196 flags—representing the 195 UN member and observer states, plus one white flag—transform the site into a space of coexistence and reflection on the unity of peoples and nations.

Each flag, one-of-a-kind, was created from used clothing collected by Refashion’s partner recyclers; when assembled, these pieces of fabric tell the story of a culture, a memory, and a history.  

 “We studied the specific textile characteristics of each country—weaving techniques, prints, and cultural references—so that each flag becomes a journey.”

The choice of fabric is no accident: the installation “La Re-prise de la Bastille” advocates for more sustainable fashion and raises awareness about recycling: clothes are never thrown in the trash—they are collected. And what is discarded can become a work of art. 

So that everyone can take a piece of the world home with them, each flag will be auctioned on the Drouot.com website from September 9 to 20, 2026.

The designers

Claire Renard and Jean Sébastien Blanc

These two designers, founders of the 5.5 collective, pioneers of upcycling, and now experts in the field, continue to strengthen their convictions and their partnership of over 20 years.

This unconventional design duo now openly embraces a “degrowth” design philosophy to help slow down the world. This commitment is more necessary than ever, given the accelerating pace of our consumption patterns and the inconsistencies of our frenetic society, which has no choice but to reinvent itself.

The Festival du Monde has been collaborating with Claire Renard and Jean-Sébastien Blanc for four years. The designers have created a unique installation for the plaza in front of the newspaper’s bridge-building at Austerlitz, using waste materials from *Le Monde*’s printing press. They have transformed the space into a festive “village square.”

The Festival du Monde also co-publishes, with the design duo, series of objects imbued with meaning, which are showcased and sold.