French senators adopted a bill on Wednesday to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. France still has in its possession tens of thousands of artworks and other prized artefacts that it looted from its colonial empire. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementPresident Emmanuel Macron has gone further than his predecessors in admitting past French abuses in Africa. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementDesigned to streamline the process, the bill under consideration specifically targets property acquired between 1815 and 1972. The restitution of looted artworks to Africa is one of the highlights of the "new relationship" Macron wanted to establish with the continent.